Leaders call for Montgomery County clerk, judge’s resignations following indictments

DAYTON — Democratic and Republican party leaders are calling for the Montgomery County Clerk of Courts and a Montgomery County judge to resign in the wake of his criminal indictment.

As reported on News Center 7 at 6:00, new information has been uncovered new information after Montgomery County Municipal Court Judge James Piergies’ indictment. He’s accused of working with the Montgomery County Clerk of Courts Mike Foley between Aug. 2023 and May 2024 to unlawfully secure public contracts.

State investigators said the charges against the judge relate to his son’s employment.

>> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: County municipal judge suspended as he faces criminal charges; some call for resignation

News Center 7′s John Bedell went to the clerk’s office on Friday to confirm the tips he’d been getting. He got an organizational chart that showed Robert Piergies worked for Foley’s office as recently as June 2024.

Three separate sources confirmed to News Center 7 that Robert Piergies is Judge James Piergies’ son.

The clerk’s office said Robert no longer works there, confirming that his last day with the office was June 12.

“This is a cloud that citizens don’t deserve,” State Rep. Tom Young, of Washington Township, and the 1st Vice Chair of the Montgomery County Republican Party said.

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

State Representatives Young and Phil Plummer, of Butler Township, and the Chair of the Montgomery County Republican Party said both Foley and Piergies should resign.

“He needs to resign immediately,” Plummer said. “I’ve reached out to him to have a talk with him. He refuses to talk to me. So the party’s gonna hold him accountable.”

Additionally, the county party that helped get Foley elected said it won’t do that again, and says they’re getting ready to censure Foley.

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

“We’re gonna kick him out of this party because we don’t stand for this behavior,” Plummer said. “I’m going to refuse to put him on our slate card when he’s up for reelection in November.”

The call from the county GOP came a day after the same move from Montgomery County democrats.

“I just don’t see any way for them to survive. Even if you survive in court, right? Just the public perception at this point is sullied for them and they need to step down,” Mohamed Al-Hamdani, Montgomery County Democratic Party Chair, said.

Foley’s lawyer told News Center 7 that “he is not stepping down” and that “he feels he did nothing wrong.”

News Center 7 has not been able to reach Piergies to ask him what he plans to do.

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