Court records deny criminal charges against the Lorain County prosecutor

ELYRIA, Ohio – Recently filed court documents in a criminal case against the Lorain County prosecutor deny allegations of the crime and raise new allegations against others involved in the investigation.

On Wednesday, JD Tomlinson and his chief of staff James Burge were arraigned in Elyria Municipal Court in a hearing continued on October 3.

“This case has taken on a certain life of its own because of its political sensitivity,” visiting Judge Patrick Carroll said in the courtroom. “This is a serious matter and we want to show respect to the people here in court.”

Both men are accused of tampering with evidence and intimidating a witness. Tomlinson faces another bribery charge.

All third-degree felonies were filed Oct. 1.

The Lorain County prosecutor is accused of witness intimidation and attempted bribery

RELATED: The Lorain County prosecutor is accused of witness intimidation and attempted bribery

The charges are related to a settlement with Tomlinson’s former employee, with whom he had a romantic relationship.

The ex-girlfriend resigned from the prosecutor’s office in August 2023 and filed a complaint of employment discrimination. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) complaint said she felt she was a victim of sexual harassment, claiming she was denied raises and transfers because of her relationship with the district attorney and that she felt the need to “accommodate Tomlinson’s wishes” or risks risk losing their job.

She also told investigators that Tomlinson used physical violence against her.

In October 2023, the woman received a $100,000 settlement from the county. County commissioners told News 5 the spending was deemed an “employment issue” at the time.

While the woman’s claims were being investigated, the criminal complaint alleges that Tomlinson and Burge both tried to convince the ex-girlfriend to sign false statements refuting her previous allegations. According to court documents, the prosecutor contacted the woman “incessantly” and offered her up to $500 to have dinner with him.

Both Tomlinson and Burge have denied wrongdoing.

‘We are innocent’: Lorain County prosecutor and chief of staff deny felony allegations

RELATED: ‘We are innocent’: Lorain County prosecutor and chief of staff deny felony allegations

In recently filed court documents, defense attorney Michael Camera reiterated his clients’ claims that they are innocent.

Court documents say Tomlinson’s offer of money to have dinner with his ex-girlfriend was merely a joke and did not constitute a bribe.

The documents also deny tampering with evidence and intimidating a witness. According to Camera’s files, the ex-girlfriend asked Tomlinson for help with damage control after a recording of an exchange between the two was leaked to a local newspaper.

Burge was then reportedly ordered to write a personal statement/press release for the woman to restore her public image and refute claims that Tomlinson had used physical violence. The filing says Burge encouraged the ex-girlfriend to discuss his letter with her own attorney.

It also says Burge told officials investigating the woman’s EEOC complaint that he helped prepare a statement for her.

The files also include pages of electronic messages, including a conversation in which the chief investigator in the criminal case reportedly made sexual advances toward the woman.

Lorain County Sheriff Phil Stammitti denies any wrongdoing by his deputy. He shared a transcript of an interview with the woman. In it, she said she had no problems with the detective and went on to explain that Tomlinson was often jealous of her personal life.

The criminal case comes as Tomlinson is seeking re-election. The timing of the indictment has raised concerns among his supporters that the case was politically motivated.

“Your honor, it is a request from my clients and I that the preliminary hearing take place before the election,” Camera told the judge on Wednesday.

The judge denied the request due to scheduling conflicts in the weeks leading up to Nov. 5. Camera told News 5 he was disappointed because he was hoping to exonerate his clients before the election.

When asked about political motivations, Stammitti gave the following response in an email to News 5 on Wednesday:

“There is nothing political about this investigation. I have asked Attorney General Tomlinson since last March that he has a conflict and that I need a special prosecutor and a special grand jury to be assigned to his office, although he stated that they welcome an investigation and have nothing wrong done, but Mr. Tomlinson has done nothing other than try to stall this investigation into wrongdoing by him and his office. He has resisted all efforts to advance this investigation. This has nothing to do with politics, but with committing crimes and breaking the law.”

Tomlinson and Burge declined to comment. Her lawyer protests her innocence.

None of the defendants entered a plea Wednesday. A preliminary hearing for the couple is scheduled for Nov. 8 at 10 a.m