Clerk of Courts Foley pleads guilty to misdemeanor charges, felony counts dropped

Montgomery County Clerk of Courts Mike Foley, 56, was arraigned on multiple accounts Monday morning, Aug. 19, 2024, before a visiting judge in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court. JIM NOELKER/STAFF

Credit: Jim Noelker

Credit: Jim Noelker

Montgomery County Clerk of Courts Mike Foley, 56, was arraigned on multiple accounts Monday morning, Aug. 19, 2024, before a visiting judge in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court. JIM NOELKER/STAFF

A visiting judge on Monday convicted Montgomery County Clerk of Courts Mike Foley on misdemeanor charges.

Foley pleaded guilty to lesser charges — unlawful campaign solicitation violations — as a part of a plea agreement with the Ohio Auditor of State’s office. This agreement dropped felony charges of theft in office related to the misuse of county property and time.

Visiting Judge Jonathan Hein said Foley’s actions demonstrated poor judgement.

“You know, everyone in the room knows, what you did, you clearly shouldn’t do,” Judge Hein said to Foley in a small courtroom at the Montgomery County Common Plea Court.

The charges come with $2,000 in fines levied against Foley, as well as court costs that must be paid within 24 months. Hein also put Foley on 24 months of community supervision and suspended up to 180 days in jail. Foley will also have to serve 40 hours of community service and undergo ethics training.

Foley’s criminal trial was scheduled for this week. This conviction effectively cancels that trial.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

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