By Aaron Knapp, Staff Reporter
PORT CLINTON, OH – Kent Johnson, the former Port Clinton Fire Chief, has entered no contest pleas to six charges in Ottawa County Common Pleas Court. These charges, including a felony and multiple misdemeanors, stem from allegations of sexual misconduct and financial improprieties brought forward by former firefighter/EMT Rebekah Huskey.
Johnson’s decision to enter no contest pleas has resulted in the dismissal of four other charges. He is scheduled for sentencing on June 17th. The charges to which he pleaded no contest are unauthorized use of computer, cable or telecommunications property (fifth-degree felony), menacing (fourth-degree misdemeanor, amended from menacing by stalking), telecommunications harassment (first-degree misdemeanor), receiving stolen property (first-degree misdemeanor), assault (first-degree misdemeanor, amended from gross sexual imposition), and attempted intimidation of an attorney, victim, or witness in a criminal case (second-degree misdemeanor, amended from intimidation of an attorney, victim, or witness in a criminal case).
The case has garnered significant attention due to the serious nature of the allegations, which include claims of repeated sexual harassment and assault. Rebekah Huskey has also filed a civil lawsuit against Johnson and the city of Port Clinton.
Subodh Chandra, Huskey’s attorney, has publicly expressed dismay at the no contest pleas. Chandra has stated that his client opposed the pleas and desired guilty pleas.
Adding complexity to the situation is the peripheral involvement of Elsebeth Baumgartner. Baumgartner, a disbarred attorney, has been connected to Ashli Ford, a local podcaster facing separate legal charges. Baumgartner has stated that she provided legal system information to Ms. Ford. Baumgartner’s history of legal entanglements, including her disbarment and “vexatious litigator” designation, has generated concern.
Baumgartner’s past legal history, including her disbarment from practicing law in Ohio, designation as a “vexatious litigator,” and past convictions, has drawn attention to her involvement in a related case.
The convergence of Johnson’s criminal case and Baumgartner’s involvement has created a point of interest within the community, as the legal proceedings continue.