Former officer urges council oversight after alleged breach of settlement; city law director says paperwork was filed

At the start of public comments on June 12, former patrolman Jordan Petche told the Macedonia City Council the city had not complied with a settlement term requiring notice to the Ohio Attorney General's office to change his OPOTA status from "terminated" to "resignation in good standing." Petche said the failure had harmed his ability to continue a career in law enforcement and asked the council to investigate.

"As of today, 06/12/2025, my status remains terminated and I've received no evidence that the city ... has taken any action to comply," Petche said, presenting a copy of the agreement and email exchanges as his evidence.

Law Director Gudetti responded in the public meeting, reading the settlement language aloud and saying the city had sent the required correspondence on Jan. 16, 2025. "I confirmed they received it, and I actually emailed OPADA as well," Gudetti said, adding that the mayor and law department view the petitioner’s statement as factually inaccurate.

Mayor Nick Molnar and the law director told the council Petche's attorney had been provided a copy of the correspondence; the law director urged that Petche's counsel should have shared that with Petche. Petche said arbitration filed by the OPBA remained pending and that turnover in the police department had created retention concerns.

Council did not take formal action during the meeting on the complaint; the exchange occurred during public comments and an on-the-record response from the law director. Petche asked for council oversight to ensure the city fulfills its obligations under the settlement.

No formal investigation or motion was recorded on the public record at the meeting; council members did not vote to open a probe during the session, though several members acknowledged the seriousness of Petche's claims and the pending arbitration mentioned in public comment.