Sheriff's lieutenant cleared of any wrongdoing in Lorain Co. Bar Association financial probe

ELYRIA — A Lorain County Sheriff's Office supervisor is back on the job after spending six months on paid leave while the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation looked into alleged "financial irregularities" at the professional association where his wife and son formerly worked. Lt. Charles Motylewski, a road patrol supervisor, has been on paid leave since Jan. 6. He was reinstated Tuesday, Sheriff Jack Hall said. "Absolutely cleared" by a BCI investigation, Charles Motylewski returned to duty Tuesday afternoon and will undergo training on new policies and procedures, Hall said. Charles Motylewski's wife, Jeannie, and son, Michael, were fired by the Lorain County Bar Association in 2024 over alleged financial irregularities at the association. Jeannie Motylewski was executive director there and Michael Motylewski an employee. Hall said the BCI report cleared Charles and Michael Motylewski of any wrongdoing. He previously said there was no evidence Charles Motylewski did anything wrong and that he was not under criminal investigation or suspicion by the Sheriff's Office. Lorain County Prosecutor Tony Cillo said Tuesday he has yet to receive the BCI's full investigative report, but expects to have it within a few days. Cillo said he spoke with the agent who did the investigation and confirmed that Charles and Michael Motylewski were not accused of any criminal activity. Once he gets the report, Cillo said he will review it and determine whether or not it should be handed off to a special prosecutor to avoid any potential conflicts of interest with his office. Cillo said either his office or the special prosecutor would then likely take the report to a Lorain County grand jury for consideration of charges. Messages seeking comment on the report and Hall and Cillo's comments were left for attorneys representing Charles and Jeannie Motylewski. The Lorain County Bar Association is a nonprofit membership organization for attorneys and the legal community. In a letter to members last year, Bar Association officers said financial irregularities had been discovered and that the bar was "working with the appropriate agencies and will continue to remain transparent while respecting the pending investigation" The Elyria Police Department asked BCI to investigate, a BCI spokesman said last year. Bar association leadership has changed over since then, with former president Giovanna Bremke elected Common Pleas judge in November, Laura Lamb being hired as its new executive director, Margaret O'Bryon taking over as bar counsel to handle complaints about members and Adam Bryda being elected president. Contact Dave O'Brien at (440) 329-7129 or dobrien@chroniclet.com.