East Cleveland's New Interim Mayor Sparks Controversy: Violation of City Charter? – NewsBreak

East Cleveland, Ohio. It is not new news that East Cleveland, Ohio, is experiencing turbulence. The city frequently faces difficulties, from Mayor Brandon King’s indictment to the recent indictment of the Chief of Staff. Many police officers have been removed from their positions due to illegal activities, which has caused some of them to be fired and incarcerated for criminal behavior.

According to various news sources, King was charged with two counts of theft in office, four counts of unlawful interest in a public contract, and other charges. In early November 2024, King was suspended from office.

In late January 2025, King was suspended as Mayor, City of East Cleveland.

Immediately following, the Probate Court’s Judge Anthony Russo began accepting applications for an interim Mayor of East Cleveland, OH.

Since then, as many as thirty-four people have applied to become the little city’s interim Mayor. They ranged from sitting council members, law directors, former council members, community activists, the council president, and everyday laypeople.

Immediately following, Judge Anthony Russo of the Probate Court began accepting applications for an interim Mayor of East Cleveland, Ohio. In late February, Russo appointed community business leader Sandra Morgan, the great-granddaughter of Garrett Morgan, to serve as Mayor.

Is Morgan’s appointment legal? Several activists and community watchdogs questioned it. Is it a BlatantDirect Violation and Disregard of East Cleveland’s City Charter?

Community activist Mariah Crenshaw noted that Ohio Revised Code 733.07 states that when the Mayor is absent from the city or cannot perform his duties for any reason, the president of the legislative authority shall be the acting Mayor. While such a president is acting as Mayor, he shall not serve as president of the legislative authority. News reporters, judges, and voters, please learn the laws. Sandra Morgan’s appointment is illegal! The City Charter dictates the succession which is consistent with the state laws. Judge Russo had undermined and suspended Ohio laws by appointing Ms. Morgan. Judge Russo violated Lateez Shabazz’s rights as Council president! She’s a bad choice just on the face of the appointment because SHE DOESN’T READ and doesn’t know the law and the Charter. Yep, they just went from the trying pan to the fire! When you violate laws to end conduct in violation of laws, you create chaos! When you don’t follow rules, laws, policies, codes CHAOS ENSUES! This ruling is egregious to the sense of justice! The judge is required to enforce and uphold the law, he didn’t do that. He should be sanctioned,” said Mariah Crenshaw, the CEO of Chasing Justice.

As we further probed this matter, we cross-referenced the East Cleveland City Charter under the Power and Duties of the Mayor and Vacancy, which states: When the Mayor is absent from the city, or is otherwise not accessible, or is temporarily unable for any cause to perform their duties, the order of succession as Acting Mayor shall be as follows: Director of Finance, Director of Law, and the Director of Public Service. In the case of death, resignation, removal or long-term absence of the Mayor, the order of succession as Mayor shall be as follows: President of Council, Vice President of Council and ranking Council member based upon aggregate years of service or, in the event of equal years of service, aggregate votes received during all successful elections, except if a vacancy occurs in the office of Mayor and there exists a Mayor-elect who has not yet assumed such office, then, in that event, the person so elected to the office of Mayor shall become Mayor for the unexpired term and for the full term for which such person was elected. The successor shall serve as Mayor until the successor for the remainder of the unexpired term is elected at the first regular municipal election, if such election is held more than 120 days after the vacancy shall have occurred. Otherwise, they shall serve for the unexpired term.

Suppose the City Charter is the bible for which a city conducts its business. How can a Cuyahoga County Probate Judge trump it, and rule on an issue where he appears to have no legal authority?

According to the National Civic League, a City Charter is a foundational document – a rule book that outlines a city’s governance, defining government structure, official powers, and decision-making processes. It serves as a “constitution” for the municipality, enabling citizens to shape their city’s operations based on their needs and preferences.

Did Judge Russo’s ruling make an error with the appointment of Sandra Morgan, and the acceptance of the application when the East Cleveland City Charter clearly states otherwise?

This story is developing, and we will continue to follow and update as new information is brought forward.