‘Selfish’ Judge’s Conduct Merits Suspension, Top Ohio Court Told

A decision that could temporarily remove from the bench a Cleveland-area judge in the midst of his last term may hinge on whether he acted selfishly while violating state ethics requirements.

The Ohio Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday to consider what punishment Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Daniel Gaul should face after the state Board of Professional Conduct said he committed 30 violations over a five-year period. Gaul admitted to 10 of the violations.

The violations spanned eight cases and included coercing plea deals, unlawfully putting people behind bars, making comments in court with racial overtones, and jailing someone for ...