Today’s announcement by Environmental Court Judge Stephanie Mingo that she would recuse herself from hearing the City of Columbus v. Wilson 845 LLC (Greyhound/Baron’s) case should be of no surprise. And the residents of the Hilltop neighborhood who have been trying to do everything in their power to shut down the Greyhound/Barons bus terminal on North Wilson Road since July can thank their newly re-elected Mayor Andrew Ginther for breaking the law.
As Mayor, Andy Ginther is a party to City of Columbus v Wilson 845 LLC et al 2023 EVH 060592. As disclosed by Judge Stephanie Mingo on December 8, Ginther called the personal cell phone of Judge Mingo with specific needs on the case.
On October 11, 2023, Judge Stephanie Mingo described the communication as follows: “On Wednesday, October 11th, the official called my cell phone, and I spoke with the official. The following is not a word-for-word account of what the official said, but to the best of my recollection, the official made the following statements: I know you care about the community. I care about the community. This Greyhound station is a problem for the community. We really need you to do the right thing for the community and shut it down.” (Emphasis in court filing.)
November 21, 2023 Judge Mingo, in an order granting Defendant’s request, identifies Andy Ginther as the elected official who contacted her.
As I have stated previously, Judge Mingo should have never returned Mayor Ginther’s phone call. Her bailiff should have and asked him why he wished to speak to her. When Judge Mingo returned the call, she invited ex parte communication with Ginther. And when she did return his call and he began to tell her “I know you care about the community. I care about the community. This Greyhound station is a problem for the community…” Judge Mingo should have stopped Ginther from saying another word and read him the riot act. Judge Mingo and Andy Ginther's actions in this matter need to be thoroughly investigated.
Judge Mingo knew that failing to reveal Ginther’s name as the city official in the ex parte communication on October 12, would result in a motion from the defendants thus delaying the identity of the mayor until after the election.
Judge Mingo was well aware of the fact that Mayor Ginther was running for re-election and that the election was less than a month away. She also knew that revealing his name on October 12 would have negative implications on his re- election efforts. The Judge's decision not to reveal Andy Ginther as the city official who participated in ex parte communication on October 12 brings to question judicial partiality of a high-ranking city official and a lack of judgement. And now, Ginther’s unethical and illegal decision to contact Judge Mingo has in fact poisoned the trial while a decision on the bus terminals future and safety of the nearby residents and others is prolonged.
