County municipal judge suspended as he faces criminal charges; some call for resignation

MONTGOMERY COUNTY — Ohio Supreme Court rules mean a Montgomery County judge is currently suspended without pay, and some people want him to resign.

They also want Montgomery County’s clerk of courts to quit.

Judge James Piergies would normally be handling misdemeanor cases at the Montgomery County Municipal Courthouse in Trotwood.

But right now — he isn’t.

Under Ohio Supreme Court rules the felony charges he’s facing means he’s automatically suspended from acting as a judge while the case is pending.

Piergies is accused of working with Montgomery County Clerk of Courts Mike Foley to unlawfully secure public contracts.

State investigators say those charges are related to where Pierges’ son works.

>> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Grand jury indicts Montgomery County clerk of courts and a Municipal Court judge

Foley is accused of several crimes himself including theft in office and unlawfully asking public employees for political contributions.

The indictment has political leaders on both sides of the aisle agreeing on one thing:

“You know, it’s. It’s disheartening,” State Rep. Phil Plummer, Montgomery County Republican Party Chair said.

“We should hold public office holders to a higher standard, to see those kind of indictments come not just against Mike Foley, but a sitting judge is a bit disappointing,” Mohamed Al-Hamdani, Montgomery County Democratic Party Chair said.

But they differ on the timing of what should happen next.

Al-Hamdani wants immediate action.

“My first gut reaction was they should both step down immediately,” he said.

Plummer said he’s not calling for resignations yet. He said he needs more facts.

“Unlike some other people who speak before they have the details, I want the details first. But This is -- on the surface it’s terrible and we don’t we don’t tolerate this. And I think you know where this is headed,” Plummer said.

Foley’s lawyer said “he is not stepping down. He feels like he did nothing wrong.”

News Center 7 couldn’t reach Piergies for comment Thursday.

Plummer said he plans to hold a press conference Friday.

We will continue to follow this story.

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