Former Lorain County judge appeals conviction

ELYRIA, Ohio (AP) — A former northeast Ohio judge will appeal his conviction on misdemeanor falsification and tampering with records charges.

The Chronicle-Telegram of Elyria reports that court documents filed earlier this week don’t specify what arguments attorneys for former Lorain County Common Pleas Judge James Burge will be using in the appeal.

The prosecution of Burge focused on his financial interest in a partnership that sold an office building in Elyria before Burge became a judge in 2007. The building reverted back to the partnership in 2011 when the deal fell through. Burge was accused of failing to report his interest in the building on financial disclosure forms while a judge.

Burge resigned shortly after his trial ended in April. A visiting judge ordered Burge to pay a $3,000 fine at sentencing.