An assistant Delaware County prosecutor who has accused Common Pleas Judge James P. Schuck of sexual assault has resigned, telling county officials she cannot keep working in a courthouse where he might one day return to the bench. In a resignation letter cited by local outlets, she says she has been living with the long-term fallout of what she describes as a wrongful relationship marked by a clear power imbalance. Her departure comes as criminal and disciplinary reviews of the judge’s conduct have been grinding on for months.
According to MyFOX28, the resignation letter, which local station ABC6 reported it had obtained, explains that the prosecutor is stepping down because she cannot return to a workplace where the man she accused might be allowed to resume his duties. The station reports that the letter describes ongoing harassment, the emotional toll of the situation, and how that ultimately pushed her to leave.
Allegations and investigation
Court filings and previous reporting show that the prosecutor filed a police report on Nov. 25 and sought a civil stalking protection order that alleged she was sexually assaulted in Schuck’s chambers in May, according to The Columbus Dispatch. The criminal complaint was sent to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office for investigation, and the Ohio Supreme Court’s Office of Disciplinary Counsel has been notified, the Dispatch reported.
Court filings say he kept contacting her
Local reporting cites court documents stating that the judge agreed not to contact the prosecutor. Attorneys for the woman say that despite this, he bombarded her with thousands of text and social media messages. WBNS also reports that court motions accuse him of viewing the woman’s LinkedIn profile while the protection order was in effect. Schuck has denied the allegations through his attorney.
What happens next
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office is still investigating and, as of the latest reporting, no criminal charges have been filed, according to The Columbus Dispatch. Schuck has been on a voluntary leave of absence since November, and there is no announced timeline for any return to the bench.
Delaware County Prosecutor Melissa Schiffel previously moved the assistant prosecutor off cases tied to Schuck’s courtroom and asked that outside prosecutors handle any overlapping matters, according to local coverage. WBNS reports that county officials are otherwise keeping public comment to a minimum while investigators and disciplinary authorities sort through the case.
