Judicial hopeful told to stop claims

Candidate's ads said he has 6 college degrees

11/5/2011
BY TOM TROY
BLADE STAFF WRITER
Mark Davis
Mark Davis

A five-judge judicial panel on Friday ordered Toledo judge candidate Mark Davis to stop using campaign advertising in which he claims to have six college degrees.

In an interim report, the panel appointed by the Ohio Supreme Court did not directly rule on the finding of the three-judge Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline on Wednesday that Mr. Davis falsely claimed to have six degrees when he actually has two.

The lower court said the two majors and two minors Mr. Davis completed under his bachelor's degree in business from Miami University did not equate to four degrees. In addition, the lower court ruled that Mr. Davis' certificate in international trade and development does not qualify as a college degree. Mr. Davis also has a law degree from Ohio State University.

Mr. Davis said although he would change his advertising to reflect the ruling, he disagreed with the lower court's decision. He maintained the difference was one of semantics.

The five-judge panel required Mr. Davis to file an affidavit with the Supreme Court by Monday detailing how he and his campaign committee are complying with the cease-and-desist order.

Mr. Davis, a lawyer in private practice and the endorsed Republican, is one of three candidates for an open seat on Toledo Municipal Court, along with endorsed Democrat Michelle Wagner and independent David Toska.