Mark A. Belinky
Mark A. Belinky was a probate judge for the Mahoning County Court of Common Pleas in Youngstown, Ohio. He was appointed to the court by former Governor Ted Strickland and assumed office on December 4, 2007.[1] However, he submitted letters of resignation to Governor John Kasich and the Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court, Maureen O'Connor. His resignation took effect March 13, 2014. Belinky has been under investigation by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation since February 7, 2014.[2] (See story below.) Belinky was elected to the court in November 2008, and his term would have expired on February 8, 2015.[1][3] He withdrew from the race to be re-elected to the Mahoning County Court of Common Pleas Probate Division in 2014.
Elections
2014
Belinky was running for re-election in 2014 against Christopher Sammarone and Susan Maruca. However, when he resigned from the bench, he also withdrew from the election.[4]
Education
Belinky received his undergraduate degree in political science from Ohio University and his J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh.[5]
Career
Before joining the court, Belinky served as a clerk for former Judge Joseph E. O’Neill of the Seventh District Court of Appeals. He also practiced law with the firm of Rigelhaupt & Rigelhaupt with a concentration in probate law for twenty-nine years and has served as an assistant prosecutor for Mahoning County.[5]
Noteworthy events
Belinky resigned from bench in midst of criminal investigation (2014)
Belinky submitted his resignation on Friday, March 13, 2014. According to The Vindicator, he was under investigation by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation since February 7. Search warrants served at Belinky's judicial chambers and at his home indicated authorities were investigating possible criminal charges of corrupt activity, tampering with records, money laundering, theft and theft in office. However, criminal charges have been filed.[2] Belinky told The Vindicator, "I tried to be as helpful as I could."[2] He added that he did "what I think is in the best interests of my family and myself."[2]
Governor John Kasich (R) said he would ask the Republican Party to provide a list of candidates who were qualified to serve as a replacement on the court. Mark Munroe, the chairman of the Mahoning County Republican Party said the group would create a committee to screen and recommend candidates. A list of their choices would be given to the Governor, who has the final responsibility for appointing a replacement to fill the remainder of Belinky's term.[2]
On March 17, 2014, supreme court chief justice Maureen O'Connor assigned Judge R.R. Denny Clunk, a retired visiting judge, to serve in Belinky's position. Belinky lost the Democratic party's endorsement on February 22. The party endorsed Susan Maruca and Christopher Sammarone. No Republican candidates filed to run for the seat.[2]
Update
In July 2014, Belinky was sentenced to 60 days of house arrest, 200 hours of community service and a $2,500 fine. In May 2015, the former judge pleaded guilty to filing to disclose campaign contributions, expenditures and loans.[6]
See also
External links
- Mahoning County Probate Court website
- Mahoning County Probate Court: Judge Mark A. Belinky Biography
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The Supreme Court of Ohio & The Ohio Judicial System, "Mark A. Belinky Appointed to Mahoning County Court of Common Pleas, Probate Division," November 20, 2007
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Vindicator, "Judge Belinky resigns from Mahoning County Probate Court," March 15, 2014
- ↑ Ohio Secretary of State, Official Website: Judiciary Election Roster 2009-2010
- ↑ Mahoning County Board of Elections, "May 6, 2014 Primary Election Candidates and Issues," accessed March 6, 2014
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Mahoning County Probate Court: Judge Mark A. Belinky Biography
- ↑ The Vindicator, "BCI has an ongoing criminal investigation into ex-Mahoning County Probate Court Judge Mark Belinky," August 22, 2015
