A Mahoning County judge has recused himself over his connections to a lawsuit related to the ongoing Mill Creek Park deer dispute.

Judge Robert Rusu has recused himself due to a lawsuit filed by a ":Save our Mill Creek Park Deer," asking the judge to remove the Mill Creek Park Board of Commissioners, of whom he appoints.

The complaint was filed in his court on Feb. 6 requesting he remove the board of commissioners.

The judge removed himself from the case stating that the underlying issue of the group has become so emotional, sensitive and controversial that in order to avoid any suggestion of bias, he filed a request with the Ohio Supreme Court to appoint a visiting judge to hear the matter. 

He also discussed the selection process that lead to current sitting board.

During the selection of the board, the judge says he created a public screening committee to vet potential applicants to the Mill Creek Metro Board of Commissioners and that during that process, qualified candidates were referred to him for personal interviews of the preferred candidates, according to the judge.

During that process, the judge says he got to know the individuals and appointed the ones he felt were best suited for the position at the time.