IN RE DISQUALIFICATION OF STUCKI. O’MALLEY v. O’MALLEY.
No. 19-AP-001
Supreme Court of Ohio
January 30, 2019
[Cite as In re Disqualification of Stucki, ___ Ohio St.3d ___, 2019-Ohio-1624.]
O’CONNOR, C.J.
ON AFFIDAVIT OF DISQUALIFICATION in Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division, Case No. DR-04-229141.
Judges—Affidavits of disqualification—
(No. 19-AP-001—Decided January 30, 2019.)
O’CONNOR, C.J.
{¶ 1} Defendant, Patrick Joseph O’Malley, has filed an affidavit with the clerk of this court pursuant to
{¶ 2} Mr. O’Malley alleges that Judge Stucki engaged in improper ex parte discussions, violated the court’s time guidelines for child-custody cases, failed to hold
{¶ 3} Judge Stucki has responded in writing to the affidavit and denies any bias against Mr. O’Malley. The judge also denies engaging in any ex parte communications and explains his relationships with the guardian ad litem and the facility in which he placed the parties’ children.
{¶ 4} For the reasons explained below, no basis has been established to order the disqualification of Judge Stucki.
{¶ 5} First, many of Mr. O’Malley’s allegations cannot be considered. With his sworn affidavit, Mr. O’Malley submitted an unsworn document entitled “Request For Disqualification.” The unsworn document included many factual allegations that went beyond those in his affidavit.
{¶ 6} Second, the vague allegations in Mr. O’Malley’s affidavit are insufficient to require Judge Stucki’s removal. For example, Mr. O’Malley states that he is “aware of many ex-parte discussions which had involved [J]udge David Stucki with others.” It is well established, however, that “[a]n alleged ex parte communication constitutes grounds for disqualification when there is ‘proof that the communication * * * addressed substantive matters in the pending case.’ ” (Ellipsis sic.) In re Disqualification of Forsthoefel, 135 Ohio St.3d 1316, 2013-Ohio-2292, 989 N.E.2d 62, ¶ 7, quoting In re Disqualification of Calabrese, 100 Ohio St.3d 1224, 2002-Ohio-7475, 798 N.E.2d 10, ¶ 2. “The allegations must be substantiated and consist of something more than hearsay or speculation.” Id. Here, Mr. O’Malley has not alleged—let alone established—that Judge Stucki engaged in ex parte communications about substantive matters in the case. “This and the other vague, unsubstantiated allegations of the affidavit are insufficient on their face for a finding of bias or prejudice.” In re Disqualification of Walker, 36 Ohio St.3d 606, 522 N.E.2d 460 (1988).
{¶ 7} Similarly, “[a]n affidavit of disqualification * * * is not a vehicle to contest matters of substantive or procedural law.” In re Disqualification of Solovan, 100 Ohio St.3d 1214, 2003-Ohio-5484, 798 N.E.2d 3, ¶ 4. Mr. O’Malley may have other remedies if he believes that Judge Stucki has failed to hold required hearings or if the guardian ad litem charged excessive fees. Those issues, however, cannot be litigated in a disqualification matter. And Mr. O’Malley’s mere disagreement with the judge’s legal decisions does not prove bias or prejudice. Id.