YOUNGSTOWN — The Ohio Clerk of Courts Association has censured controversial Mahoning County Clerk of Courts Michael P. Ciccone, removed him from all committees and asked him to resign.

Licking County Clerk of Courts Olivia C. Parkinson, the association’s president, wrote in a Dec. 8 letter to Ciccone that she was addressing “a matter of serious concern regarding your continued membership in (the organization). Recent documented conduct attributed to you — including multiple racially derogatory and offensive text messages, reports of office mismanagement and actions inconsistent with established standards — has raised substantial professional and reputational concerns for both you and the association.”

Ciccone, a Republican, hasn’t commented on the controversy surrounding his tenure as clerk of courts since a written Oct. 19 statement, in which he insisted he would not resign from his post.

The Vindicator has reached out to him numerous times, including on Friday, since then without a response.

Parkinson’s letter, obtained Friday by The Vindicator, states the association — which includes clerks of courts in every county in the state — met Nov. 3 and voted to issue a formal censure of Ciccone.

The executive committee met Dec. 1, Parkinson wrote, “to determine the appropriate course of action following the censure. After deliberation, the committee voted to remove you from all OCCA committees effective immediately, in addition to the formal censure being reflected in the official minutes.”

Ciccone served on three committees: title, dual clerk and limited authority deputy registrar.

The association, established in 1940, supports clerks across all counties and influences legislation to benefit local government operations, according to its website.

Shortly after the decision to remove Ciccone from his committees, the full association at its winter conference updated its bylaw on membership, Parkinson wrote.

“These revisions clarify that membership requires that an individual be a member in good standing and clarify how good standing is defined,” she wrote.

Parkinson added: “After careful consideration, it is the position of the executive committee that your continued membership undermines the values, credibility and integrity of OCCA. For these reasons, we respectfully request that you voluntarily resign your membership in the Ohio Clerk of Courts Association effective immediately.”

Parkinson requested Ciccone “provide written confirmation of your resignation to me not later than Dec. 29.”

Ciccone has not resigned.

CICCONE ISSUES

Jennifer J. Ciccone, fired Oct. 17 by Michael P. Ciccone as his chief deputy and chief of staff after a falling out, posted on Facebook on the day she was terminated several incriminating and embarrassing text messages from and photos of her boss. That included the use of a racial epithet a number of times and slurs about elected officials.

The chairmen of the Mahoning County Republican and Democratic parties have called for Ciccone to resign, which he refuses to do.

The two political parties announced Dec. 19 it would seek to remove Ciccone through legal action.

The parties started earlier this month collecting signatures for that effort. The parties need at least 13,029 valid signatures from county residents on petitions to force a court hearing on Ciccone’s removal.

The parties accuse Ciccone of repeatedly abusing the authority of his office, using “discriminatory and degrading language,” and failing to “perform core statutory duties and administer the clerk’s office in a manner that undermined fiscal integrity, employee safety and public confidence in the judicial system.”

The complaint lists counts of malfeasance, misfeasance, nonfeasance, neglect of duty and negligence in office. It accuses Ciccone of mismanaging the title office, overhiring and overpaying personnel, engaging in favoritism, improperly waiving filing fees, failing to properly supervise employees and “failing to perform essential statutory duties.”

Ciccone’s personal finances remain an issue despite his annual salary being $101,823 last year.

Ciccone owes $5,896.50 in delinquent taxes he owes on four properties, up from $2,855.51 less than a month ago.

The biggest delinquency is $3,379.04 for his house at 18 S. Edgehill Ave. in Austintown, which is co-owned with Patrick W. Ciccone.

Also, Jennifer J. Ciccone filed a civil complaint Oct. 24 in county court in Austintown against Michael P. Ciccone, contending breach of contract because she let him borrow money — $2,750 in December 2023 that he hasn’t paid back and $3,500 in September 2024 that he made payments of $2,000 on, but still owes her $1,500. She sued for $4,250 plus statutory interest.

Jennifer J. Ciccone wrote in the complaint that Michael P. Ciccone needed the $3,500 to “avoid being found culpable in the grievance proceedings” involving a former client who accused him of “gross neglect and misconduct.” Both Ciccones, who aren’t related, are attorneys.

Michael P. Ciccone hadn’t responded to the civil complaint as of Friday.