Yes, former Cuyahoga County (Ohio) Domestic Relations Judge Leslie Ann Celebrezze was sentenced to 60 days in the Cuyahoga County Jail on Monday, June 1, 2026 (or June 2 depending on reporting).
Key Details
- Charge: One count of tampering with records, a third-degree felony. She pleaded guilty on February 4, 2026.
- What She Did: In January 2023, Celebrezze allegedly assigned a divorce case to herself and filed a fraudulent journal entry claiming the case had been randomly assigned through the court’s system. This was part of a pattern of steering lucrative cases to a longtime family friend, attorney Mark Dottore, who received significant work and fees from her courtroom.
- Sentence:
- 60 days in county jail.
- $10,000 fine plus court costs.
- Likely additional probation (up to 5 years, as discussed earlier).
Visiting Judge Mark Wiest (from Wayne County) imposed the sentence. Prosecutors had not requested jail time, but the judge retained the option after a pre-sentence investigation.
Background
- Celebrezze resigned from the bench in December 2025 shortly after being charged.
- She comes from a prominent Cleveland political family (her father was a longtime judge and political figure).
- Earlier in 2026, the Ohio Supreme Court suspended her law license for two years (with one year stayed) after she admitted to multiple violations of judicial conduct rules.
- Investigations involved Ohio disciplinary authorities and the FBI. No additional state or federal charges are expected.
Celebrezze expressed remorse in court, saying “I am deeply sorry.” The case has drawn significant attention due to the breach of public trust in the family court system, which handles sensitive divorce, custody, and domestic matters.
This appears to be a resolved criminal matter with no indication of broader ongoing litigation against her at this time. For the most current official records, check Cuyahoga County Court dockets or recent coverage from Cleveland.com, WKYC, or Cleveland 19 News. Let me know if you want more context on the investigation or related stories.