Sandusky County judge fostered ‘inappropriate work environment’ [Video]

TOLEDO, Ohio — Inappropriate text messages, offensive nicknames and belittling court employees on the record are just a few of the dozens of unprofessional behaviors outlined in an outside investigation into Sandusky County Common Pleas Judge Jon Ickes by the Columbus-based human resources consulting firm Clemans-Nelson & Associates, Inc.

Ickes and his bailiff, Candice Talbot, were subjects of harassment complaints filed by three Sandusky County Courthouse employees in April and May.

As an elected official, Ickes is not subject to discipline by an entity in the courthouse and thus hired Clemans-Nelson as an outside agency to investigate the claims.

11 Investigateslearned the complainants filed their grievances with Sandusky County Human Resources, and not the Supreme Court of Ohio’s Disciplinary Counsel, which does have the ability to discipline and …