Lingo named prosecutor in Cuyahoga sheriff case

2/21/2009

Assistant Lucas County Prosecutor Jeff Lingo was appointed yesterday as special prosecutor to oversee the investigation involving possible criminal charges against the Cuyahoga County sheriff.

Mr. Lingo said he received the request from Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason. He will be responsible for reviewing the investigation and determining any potential charges. He would present the charges to a grand jury and then try the case.

Hired by Lucas County in 1997, Mr. Lingo has prosecuted 31 homicide cases and has been involved in several high-profile trials, including the theft and money-laundering convictions of coin dealer Tom Noe and the murder case of Robert Jobe, a teenager convicted of the murder of a Toledo police detective.

A former Williams County deputy sheriff and Sylvania police officer, Mr. Lingo worked as a prosecutor in Allen County before starting in Lucas County.

The investigation he will oversee involves Cuyahoga County Sheriff Gerald McFaul, who could face criminal charges 23 years after allegedly telling an employee how to avoid a subpoena so she wouldn t have to testify against him.