An Ohio grand jury handed down an eight-count indictment to Juvenile Court Judge Tracie Hunter on January 10th. The Ohio judge stands accused of two counts of forgery, two counts of evidence tampering, two counts of theft in office, and two counts of having an unlawful interest in a public contract.

The Ohio Supreme Court also suspended Hunter on the same day of the indictment pending the results of the investigation. Though she is suspended, Hunter will continue to receive her $121,350 salary.

The charges allege Hamilton backdated court records in an attempt to keep her rulings form being overturned also sing her county issued credit card to pay fees associated with lawsuits filed against her. The amount Hunter is accused of charging to her issued card falls between $1,000 and $7,000.

The unlawful interest in a public contract charge stems from her brother Steven Hunter’s employment with the Hamilton County Juvenile Court. Special prosecutors stated the investigation is still ongoing and additional charges are a possibility.

Hunter was sworn into office in May 2012 for a six-year term which expires in 2018. Hunter obtained her Bachelors of Arts degree in 1988 from Miami University. Later, Hunter earned her law degree in 1992 from the University Of Cincinnati College Of Law. Judge Hunter has many active supporters in her community. Bishop Bobby Hilton, one of Hunter’s avid supporters, spoke with Reverend Al Sharpton on Sharpton’s national radio show recently. On the show Hilton is quoted as saying, “The continued political assassination against her is ridiculous but, as you said Rev. Sharpton, the light is coming on and the roaches will scatter”.

Hunter will be arraigned on January 17th in the Hamilton County Common Pleas Court. Her supporters are actively collecting donations in order to aide in her defense fund.

Attorney Patrick Donovan is a criminal defense attorney in Massachusetts. Attorney Donovan is a former prosecutor that has appeared in over fifty courts in Massachusetts. Attorney Donovan has represented people on both felony and misdemeanor crimes.