YOUNGSTOWN The attorney representing former Mahoning Deputy Clerk of Courts Jennifer Ciccone is fighting the contempt of court ruling that ordered her to pay $4,000 and serve ten days in the Mahoning County Jail.

Ciccone's attorney, Charles Strader, filed a series of motions on Thursday, asking the court to stop the jail sentence and financial penalty and to cancel the entire case.

Mahoning County Common Pleas Judge Maureen Sweeney issued the contempt order on Wednesday after Ciccone, administrator for the estate of Andrew Rauzan, failed to pay a settlement to plaintiff Carol Lynne Morgan. Ciccone was ordered to report to jail on Nov. 21.

Strader argues the court no longer has the legal authority to act in the case because the original lawsuit was dismissed by both parties on April 1, 2025. A court that lacks legal authority, or jurisdiction, cannot issue a contempt order, making the Nov. 5 ruling invalid, according to one of Strader's filings.

In a separate motion, Strader asked Judge Sweeney to cancel the Nov. 5 order, stating it violated Ciccone's rights to a fair legal process. Strader argues that Ciccone was not properly notified that the court could send her to jail for the hearing.

Ciccone's attorney also challenged the fine, saying the original settlement amount was $3,500, but the Nov. 5 contempt order increased the payment to $4,000 without explanation. Strader stated the extra $500 is unjustified and violates the right to due process by denying Ciccone an opportunity to contest the new figure.

To temporarily settle the financial issue while the court reviews the motions, the defense requested that the $4,000 be held by the Mahoning County Clerk of Courts' office. The money would only be released after the court rules on all motions and any potential appeals are finished.

Ciccone's motion also requests a fast hearing on the request to stop the jail sentence.