A dispute allegedly involving thrown lemons has led to an assault report being filed following a meeting of Trumbull County Republican Party officers.

Howland Township police responded to a call from the GOP Headquarters at 1195 Niles Cortland Road Tuesday afternoon. regarding an alleged assault.  According to the police report, Marleah Campbell, the party’s secretary, reported that Michele “Niki” Frenchko, the auxiliary chair and former Trumbull County Commissioner, threw two lemons at her during a meeting.

Campbell told police she was asked to read the motions and votes when Frenchko repeatedly interrupted her. Campbell said she told Frenchko to “shut up and let me speak,” at which point Frenchko allegedly threw two large lemons from a table centerpiece, striking Campbell in the chest with one and bouncing off the table with the other.  Campbell stated she picked up a lemon but did not throw it.

Julia Shutt, the meeting chair, and other witnesses corroborated Campbell’s account in written statements to police.  Shutt told police that after the incident, she stopped the meeting and that Frenchko began recording those present on her phone while laughing.  The witnesses claim that Frenchko’s actions were unprovoked.

Police spoke with Frenchko later that day.  According to the police report, Frenchko claimed Campbell made a false accusation and “stood up maniacally” with a lemon, calling Frenchko “stupid.”  Frenchko asked about video surveillance, and when told the cameras were only operational after hours, she said, “they’re lying.”

Frenchko told Police that Shutt brought the lemons and “slammed” one in front of her, making her nervous. She claimed a “rule” existed that if someone “talked sour,” they would get lemons.  She denied throwing any lemons, saying, “no, no, hell no.” 

Frenchko also claimed that Shutt wanted her to sign a document agreeing to “accept consensus, be agreeable, not say anything inappropriate,” which she refused to sign.  She further suggested the other officers were motivated by her intention to run for the board of elections.

Speaking to 21 News, Frenchko claims some members of the executive committee are trying to make her look bad because of her efforts to bring to light what Frenchko says was the improper recommendation of an appointee to the Trumbull County Board of Elections.

Alleging that the person recommended to the Secretary of State was nominated by someone who isn’t a committee member, in violation of the rules, Frenchko has called for a special meeting of the committee for next Thursday.

“The sole purpose of this meeting is to take corrective action related to the 1/27/25 vote for the Board of Elections recommendation due to an error,” according to the meeting notice which also says “…Party officers and Chair prefers to preserve ‘“optics”’ – by not correcting this acknowledged error…”

Frenchko emailed the following statement to 21 News:

“My role as a Republican officer is to get candidates on the ballot, get them elected and follow our bylaws. When the GOP officers were embarrassed by their mistake, they formulated a blatant lie.  This witch-hunt, waged against my character by the corrupt party officials and politicians in our county is an effort to deflect attention from their refusal to correct an error. I have always stood up for the integrity of our constitution and elections. These incompetent party officials should step down from their positions for their attack on our democracy.”

 

Police advised Campbell on how to file charges with the Warren Municipal Court prosecutors.  No charges have been filed as of Thursday afternoon.