Lorain County — The Ohio Attorney General’s Office has appointed Ottawa County Prosecutor James VanEerten to serve as special prosecutor in a continuing matter involving the Lorain County Prosecutor’s Office, according to records released by the state.
The appointment followed a July 2025 request from Lorain County Prosecutor Tony Cillo, who cited a conflict of interest because the review concerns potential criminal violations involving the outgoing prosecutor and other employees. The Attorney General’s Special Prosecutions Section approved the request and directed coordination through VanEerten.
The records—released promptly by the Attorney General’s Office—include the appointment letter, the county’s request for assistance, and related state correspondence. An investigative summary from the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office describes allegations tied to a personnel settlement and possible interference with a prior inquiry, listing potential offenses such as intimidation of a witness, tampering with evidence, dereliction of duty, and obstruction of official business. No new charges are reflected in the materials, and all allegations remain under review. The summary notes cooperation among the Sheriff’s Office, the FBI, and state authorities.
A separate public-records request to the Lorain County Prosecutor’s Office remains pending. In an October 8 letter, the office said reviewing more than 30,000 emails for potential privilege could take months. The contrast between the state’s rapid disclosure and the county’s projected delay has renewed local debate over transparency and compliance with the Ohio Public Records Act.
About Aaron C. Knapp:
Aaron C. Knapp, LSW, BSSW is an independent government-accountability advocate and editor of Lorain Politics Unplugged, where he publishes records and analysis related to local government. He is also the Republican candidate for Lorain City Council, Ward 6, in the 2025 election cycle.
Editor’s note: This report is based on official public records released by the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office. Individuals named in investigative materials are presumed innocent unless or until proven otherwise.