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Public commenters press Franklin County commissioners over alleged family‑court misconduct
Summary
Multiple public commenters raised allegations about family‑court practices, accusing attorneys and judges of sharing confidential files, issuing ex parte orders and relying on hearsay; the board said grievances and public‑records requests are pending and counseled on proper procedures.
Several members of the public used the meeting’s public‑comment periods to press the commissioners about the family‑court system and alleged misconduct by legal and judicial actors.
Marcy Torres told the board she had received calls about a case in which, she alleged, an attorney helped a mother flee with a child and later shared case files containing personally identifiable information with a third party. Torres said she planned to file grievances and accused judges and staff (naming Norma Rodriguez) of participating in corrupt practices. Torres made several specific allegations about leaked files, threats to a father and asserted officials had signed ex parte orders for profit.
Other commenters, including Marie Redout and Andy Reavis, argued the family‑court system accepts hearsay and applies a lower burden of proof than criminal court; they called for clearer investigative procedures and for law enforcement to investigate criminal allegations rather than resolving them in civil proceedings when appropriate. Redout said family court’s process can blur lines between civil and criminal investigations, and urged higher standards and reforms.
County staff and commissioners responded that public records and formal complaint channels exist and that some matters are already the subject of investigations and records requests. The board did not take formal action on the accusations during the meeting; the administrator said staff would consider making relevant public documents available at the next meeting to improve transparency.
Quote: “There is so much corruption going on, so much fraud… releasing people's information, files with social security numbers,” Marcy Torres said during public comment.
Context: The speakers raised both allegations of specific misconduct (file handling, threats) and broader concerns about evidentiary standards in family court. Commissioners and counsel emphasized the board’s limited role in adjudicating individual judicial decisions but said it can provide records and note complaints for the appropriate oversight bodies.
Next steps: The board said it will consider publishing emails and public records related to the complaints at an upcoming meeting so the public can review them; no disciplinary action or formal referral was announced at this session.
