Disciplinary Counsel v. Horton (Slip Opinion)

**What Happened** This case involved Judge Horton, who was accused of multiple violations while serving on the bench. He was charged with criminal campaign finance violations for filing incomplete and inaccurate campaign statements. Additionally, he misused county resources by having his court staff work on his judicial campaign during regular work hours, essentially using taxpayer money for personal political activities. Most seriously, he engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct and harassment. **What the Court Decided** The Ohio Supreme Court found Judge Horton guilty of violating both judicial conduct rules and professional conduct rules for attorneys. The court determined that his actions—including the criminal violations, misuse of public resources, and sexual harassment—damaged public trust in the court system. As punishment, Judge Horton was indefinitely suspended from practicing law, with specific conditions he must meet before he can apply for reinstatement. **Why This Matters for Workers** This ruling reinforces that even high-ranking officials like judges can be held accountable for sexual harassment and misuse of workplace resources. It shows that courts take workplace harassment seriously, regardless of the perpetrator's position. Workers can take confidence that there are consequences when supervisors abuse their power or engage in inappropriate conduct.