Prosecutors have declined to pursue criminal charges against a Delaware County judge who retired amid accusations of sexual assault and harassment.
The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office said in an Aug. 10 letter to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office that it would not present the case of former Delaware County Judge James Schuck to a grand jury "at this time," saying there was not sufficient evidence to secure an indictment. The case now returns to the sheriff's office, which may revisit the case if more evidence comes to light.
An assistant prosecutor with the Delaware County Prosecutor's Office filed for a civil stalking protection order against Schuck in November. She alleged in court filings Schuck forced her to have sexual contact twice
and stalked her for months.
Schuck retired in June. Before that, he denied the allegations but agreed to voluntary leave. In a June email to The Dispatch, he characterized the situation as "a brief romance between a Judge and a Prosecutor that was not handled correctly by either party."
The assistant prosecutor resigned in May, saying she could not continue working for the prosecutor's office with Schuck expected to return to his position.
Public safety and breaking news reporter Bailey Gallion can be reached at bagallion@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Prosecutors decline to pursue charges against ex-Delaware County judge
