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The Ohio Supreme Court says the question of whether Stark County Sheriff George T. Maier is legally qualified to be sheriff has enough merit to at least hear the arguments.
The state’s highest court on Friday denied Maier’s request to dismiss the lawsuit filed by retired Sheriff Timothy Swanson that claims Maier is unlawfully holding the sheriff’s post because he fails to meet the state-required education and employment qualifications.
Maier, who was narrowly appointed sheriff by the Stark County Democratic Central Committee last month, had asked the Supreme Court to dismiss the lawsuit because Swanson, now a private citizen, doesn’t have legal standing to file the challenge.
Swanson, also a Democrat, had served as Stark County’s sheriff for 13 years but did not seek re-election last year. He agreed to postpone his retirement after Sheriff-elect Michael McDonald announced that he could not assume the office. Swanson’s last day was Feb. 7.
The court had ordered that evidence be submitted within 20 days.
The Ohio Supreme Court says the question of whether Stark County Sheriff George T. Maier is legally qualified to be sheriff has enough merit to at least hear the arguments.
The state’s highest court on Friday denied Maier’s request to dismiss the lawsuit filed by retired Sheriff Timothy Swanson that claims Maier is unlawfully holding the sheriff’s post because he fails to meet the state-required education and employment qualifications.
Maier, who was narrowly appointed sheriff by the Stark County Democratic Central Committee last month, had asked the Supreme Court to dismiss the lawsuit because Swanson, now a private citizen, doesn’t have legal standing to file the challenge.
Swanson, also a Democrat, had served as Stark County’s sheriff for 13 years but did not seek re-election last year. He agreed to postpone his retirement after Sheriff-elect Michael McDonald announced that he could not assume the office. Swanson’s last day was Feb. 7.
The court had ordered that evidence be submitted within 20 days.
