Ohio judge accused of criminal misconduct

LORAIN, Ohio (AP) — A special grand jury has indicted an Ohio judge on charges of criminal misconduct related to his personal finances.

Judge James Burge of Lorain County Common Pleas Court says he’s done nothing wrong and will fight the charges in court.

The 67-year-old Burge was indicted Wednesday on charges including falsification, tampering with records, soliciting improper compensation and having an unlawful interest in a public contract.

The investigation was conducted by Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine’s office and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. It focused on Judge Burge’s finances, including his interest in a Lorain office building.

The special grand jury has been meeting secretly for months.

Judge Burge will automatically be barred from hearing cases and a visiting judge will be appointed by the Ohio Supreme Court to handle his docket.