Judge Adams steps aside in Cafaro case

Staff report

AKRON

Judge John R. Adams of the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio, will not be the judge to sentence ex-shopping mall executive John J. Cafaro.

Cafaro pleaded guilty in March to making a false statement concerning a contribution to the unsuccessful 2004 congressional campaign of his daughter, Capri Cafaro. Capri Cafaro, of Liberty, D-32nd, is a state senator and Senate minority leader.

Judge Adams, in an order dated April 29, recused himself from any further proceedings in the Cafaro case pursuant to a federal code, which says a judge or magistrate “shall disqualify himself in any proceeding in which his impartiality might reasonably be questioned.”

The code offers a list of instances where a judge might recuse himself from a given case including personal bias, having served the accused while in private practice or having a financial interest.

Judge Adams did not cite a specific instance in his decision.

Judge Kathleen M. O’Malley of the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio, has been added to the case.