Van Wert Judge subject of ethics complaint

VAN WERT - A Van Wert County judge has been accused of ethical misconduct in a complaint filed with the Ohio Supreme Court.

The high court's Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline filed the 10-count complaint against Van Wert Municipal Court Judge Phil Campbell on May 13.

In one allegation, Campbell was accused of pushing additional charges against a man involved with an underage party and not allowing a plea deal from prosecutors to go through. In another case, he was accused of proceeding in a criminal case without appointing a man an attorney.

If the allegations are founded, Campbell, who has been the municipal court judge since 1987, could face punishment ranging from a public reprimand to a suspension of his law license.

Campbell on Tuesday said there were "factual inaccuracies" with the complaint and another side of the story but at the request of his attorney he said he could not elaborate.

Campbell has several weeks to answer the allegations before a hearing date is set before a three-person panel.

Board Secretary Jon Marshall said it's possible the case could be heard sometime this year.

The complaint alleges Campbell's misconduct included not upholding judicial integrity and independence, and acting in a manner that does not promote public trust. It also said he was suppose to perform his duties without bias or prejudice and must recuse himself from a case when his impartiality could be questioned.