Plummer and state Rep. Tom Young, R-Washington Twp., on Friday held a press conference at the Montgomery County GOP headquarters on Linden Avenue, where they called for Foley’s resignation and voiced the party had plans to censure the public official.
“Integrity is everything. That’s all we have as elected officials as we lead the people,” said Young. “This is a cloud that citizens don’t deserve.”
Young asked Montgomery County voters to not cast their ballots in favor of Foley if the clerk of courts chooses to move forward with his reelection bid. Foley is on the ballot in November against Democrat Lynn Cooper.
Plummer added that if Foley does not resign from office, he will run for reelection to his seat without the support and endorsement of the Republican Party.
Foley on Wednesday was indicted by a Montgomery County grand jury on a dozen counts: attempted unlawful interest in a public contract, three counts of complicity to commit unlawful interest in a public contract, two counts of theft in office, one count of unauthorized use of computer, cable or telecommunication property, and misdemeanor counts of solicitation of political contributions from public employees and prohibition against partisan political activity.
Foley’s attorney, Jon Paul Rion, did not return a request for comment on Friday afternoon. Rion on Wednesday told the newspaper that Foley intends to plead not guilty to all of his charges and denies wrongdoing.
Plummer said he and other party leaders have tried working with Foley by reaching out to him personally and talking to people who work closely with him.
“This is not political, this is not personal, this is professional,” Plummer said.
Also indicted with Foley was Montgomery County Municipal Court Judge James Piergies. Piergies faces counts of attempted unlawful interest in a public contract. He was removed from the bench upon his indictment and is disqualified from acting as judge while facing felony charges, according to the Ohio Supreme Court.
“If the allegations are true, he should resign,” Plummer said.
Foley and Piergies are scheduled to appear for arraignment Aug. 15 in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court and were each issued a summons.
Foley is running for reelection in November after winning an unopposed Republican primary. Piergies was reelected in 2019 to a six-year term in a non-partisan race. County election records say he voted as a Democrat until switching to a Republican in this year’s primary.
Montgomery County Sheriff Rob Streck, a Republican, in a Friday statement said these allegations “are very serious, erode public trust and must be investigated fully.”
Republicans Montgomery County Treasurer John McManus and state Senate candidate Charlotte McGuire also called for Foley’s resignation in separate statements.
“Like so many proud, long-time residents of Montgomery County, I was disheartened by the allegations and indictments by a grand jury against Clerk of Courts Mike Foley and Municipal Court Judge James Piergies. Their alleged actions are a betrayal of the public trust and to the oath they swore to uphold,” McGuire said.
“While it’s important to acknowledge that defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty, I respectfully hope that Clerk Foley steps aside,” McManus said. “It would be an honorable gesture that would allow both his office and the community to heal.”
Former Trotwood mayor and Montgomery County commission candidate Mary McDonald, also a Republican, on Friday said it’s important for citizens to trust and have confidence in their elected officials.
“Everyone must be held accountable for their actions,” she said.
