COLUMBUS, Ohio — A special prosecutor announced Wednesday that there is no probable cause for charges against Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther regarding a phone call he made last year to a judge about the city's troubled Greyhound Bus terminal.
Special Prosecutor Brad Nicodemus ruled there was no sufficient evidence for charges of obstruction of official business or interference with civil rights.
Nicodemus submitted a letter to City Attorney Zach Klein detailing his reasoning for the ruling.
"All the evidence in this case didn't show Mayor Ginther wanted to obstruct or impede or hamper this. He actually wanted the trial to move quicker, so the facts don't fit the statute of obstruction," Nicodemus said.
Ginther released the following statement after the announcement:
"An extensive legal analysis and thorough review is now complete. I continue to be focused on best serving the people of Columbus and public safety will remain my top priority.”
Joe Motil, who filed the original complaint against Ginther, expressed disappointment with the decision. He argued that the decision appeared politically biased and claimed that Ginther had obstructed justice and violated constitutional rights by contacting the judge.
"The logic of his decision is not sound. Ginther obstructed justice and violated the constitutional rights of the parties by contacting the judge. In my opinion, the decision appears to be politically biased in favor of Mayor Ginther. This means the Mayor is free to interfere with any pending case," Motil said in a statement.
The Greyhound station, located at 845 N. Wilson Road, was the site of multiple violent crimes, including a deadly shooting last year.
In May 2024, the operators of the terminal agreed to reduce its operations after the city filed a lawsuit over safety concerns. They have until Jan. 3, 2025, to make that happen. The city previously sued to have the terminal shut down altogether.
In October 2023, the judge involved in the case, Stephanie Mingo, held an emergency status with counsel for Barons Bus Inc, Greyhound Lines and the City of Columbus. Mingo disclosed the content of a phone call that she had with an "elected official."
The judge held the conference to abide by Judicial Code Rule 2.9 (B), which states:
“If a judge receives an unauthorized ex parte communication bearing upon the substance of a matter, the judge shall make provision promptly to notify the parties of the substance of the communication and provide the parties with an opportunity to respond.”
According to the transcript of proceedings from the conference, Mingo said that she received a voicemail on Oct. 10, which they then forwarded to the bailiff. This is done to prevent the judge from hearing messages referencing open cases.
The bailiff informed Mingo after listening to the voicemail that an elected official left a message requesting a callback, though the elected official did not reportedly give any indication on the subject matter.
The judge later returned the call and left a voicemail with their phone number. According to court documents, the official called Mingo’s cellphone again on Oct. 11.
The judge said, according to the best of her recollection, that the following statements were made by the official: (They noted that this is not a word-for-word account.)
"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."
The judge said she responded, declining to comment on specifics of the case and informing the elected official that any discussion would be an ethics violation. The elected official was later identified as Ginther.
The bus station will relocate from North Wilson Road to 306 East Mound St. on Jan. 3.