Sciortino loses Supreme Court bid to upend 3-judge panel

COLUMBUS — In a 6-1 decision today, the Ohio Supreme Court ordered a special judicial panel to uphold a state law related to the paid suspension of Mahoning County Auditor Michael V. Sciortino.

The panel issued a preliminary ruling to suspend Sciortino, a Democrat facing 22 criminal charges related to the delayed purchase by the county of Oakhill Renaissance Center. But the judicial committee wouldn't issue a final ruling saying the law that gave it the power to suspend officeholders charged with committing crimes while in the same elected office without legal representation was unconstitutional.

The Supreme Court disagreed and ordered the panel "to proceed with its meeting," and "to abide by all provisions" in the state law.

Sciortino's term expires in March. He was defeated last week by Republican Ralph Meacham.