YOUNGSTOWN - A Mahoning County Court has appointed a special prosecutor to investigate allegations against several Mahoning County officials on Monday, January 5.

Back in October of 2024, Attorney Marty Desmond accused several Mahoning County officials of misconduct in connection with the termination of former county worker Ricky Morrison.

In November of 2024, the trial court dismissed the petition after a status conference. Desmond appealed this decision in December of 2024, and in July of 2025, the 11th District Court of Appeals heard oral arguments on the case.

The Appeals Court ruled in favor of Desmond in November of 2025 and ordered a special prosecutor to be appointed to investigate the allegations.

This all led to January 5, 2026, when Jodie Schumacher was appointed as special prosecutor in the case. 

The allegations involve former Mahoning County Prosecutor Gina DeGenova, former Mahoning County Commissioner Dave Ditzler, current Mahoning County Commissioner Carol Rimedio-Righetti and Mahoning County Administrator Audrey Tillis.

Tillis fired Morrisson in 2022. Morrison sued and claimed Tillis fired him because he voted for Commissioner Rimedio-Righetti's opponent. Morrisson's attorney alleged that DeGenova's investigation was a "sham" meant to cover up the commissioners' wrongdoings.

You can read more about Desmond's petition and the accused officials' responses to it in our related coverage below.

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