CAMPBELL — Brian J. Macala, a candidate for Campbell Municipal Court judge, admits he forged clients’ signatures on court documents, but said Mark J. Kolmacic, his opponent, is making too much out of it.

“It doesn’t reflect well on me,” Macala said. “It’s something I should not have done. I regret it, and I wish I had not done it. I did something very incorrect. Attorney Kolmacic is making very much out of this and (saying) it shows my lack of integrity. I don’t agree.”

Kolmacic said if Macala wins Nov. 7, “it would be an embarrassment to the city to elect a judge that couldn’t sit.”

Kolmacic added: “Brian is qualified. I am qualified. If given equal qualifications, I think one critical factor is he’s been accused of being dishonest in his private practice.”

The Ohio Supreme Court’s Board of Professional Conduct has an Oct. 30 hearing scheduled on the accusations against Macala. The board makes recommendations on possible sanctions with the final decision left up to the Supreme Court.

John B. Juhasz, Macala’s attorney on the disciplinary matter, is seeking a postponement because Juhasz may be involved as a lawyer in an Ashtabula County capital murder retrial sentencing that is supposed to start Oct. 23, according to a motion to delay.

Juhasz wrote in the motion he doesn’t expect the sentencing to start on time, but wants to avoid a last-minute continuance filed with the Board of Professional Conduct.

The board hasn’t ruled on the request and asked Juhasz to file a status report on or before Oct. 6.

The complaint filed by the Mahoning County Bar Association against Macala states on May 17, 2022, he signed the names of five people on probate filings regarding the estates of Marie E. and Ronald J. Harris in order to get a time extension.

“It wasn’t financial,” Macala said, explaining he needed more time and isn’t accused of improperly taking money.

Macala said of Kolmacic: “This and that his father was judge are the only reasons he’s running. I’ve yet to hear any other reason for him to be judge.”

Macala admits to filing the documents with forged signatures in Mahoning County Probate Court.

He was fired by the executor of the two estates after the forgeries were discovered by his clients.

Incumbent Judge Patrick P. Cunning, first elected to the job in 2005, cannot seek reelection this year because of the state’s age limit law for judges.

The municipal court has jurisdiction over Campbell and Coitsville.

Kolmacic and Macala have run against each other five other times, including in 2005, when they both lost to Cunning for judge.

Macala was elected law director in 1995 and lost to Kolmacic in 2007. Macala beat Kolmacic for law director in 2011 and has held it ever since. Kolmacic unsuccessfully challenged Macala in 2015 and 2021.

This is Kolmacic’s fourth time running for this judicial position. If he is elected, he could serve only one six-year term, as he would be restricted by his age from seeking a second term.

This is Macala’s second time running for the seat.

dskolnick@vindy.com