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Mark Sullivan

Commissioner charged after domestic dispute

Athens County Commissioner Mark Sullivan, 51, will face a misdemeanor domestic violence charge stemming from an incident between himself and his wife this weekend.

Deputies from the Athens County Sheriff’s Office were called to Sullivan’s home in Millfield early Saturday morning to handle a domestic disturbance call.

Neither Sullivan nor his wife were arrested by deputies, and the commissioner agreed to temporarily leave the residence with his two children.

However, Sheriff Pat Kelly confirmed yesterday that his office will summon Sullivan to court to face charges.

“We are going to issue a summons for Mark for one domestic violence misdemeanor,” Kelly said.

Under Ohio Revised Code, domestic violence is a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.

Although Sullivan’s wife admitted to initiating the physical altercation, Kelly said she had some bruising and blood on her face.

Athens County domestic violence protocol states that in domestic violence cases police are to arrest whichever party seems to have inflicted the most injury on the other, regardless of who initiated the altercation.

Kelly added that his deputies were called to Sullivan’s residence last summer to mediate a similar altercation, however, no charges were filed.

Sullivan, a Democrat, has been a county commissioner since 1998 and is running for re-election next year. He could not be reached for comment.

This will be Sullivan’s second court appearance in the last six months.

He was arrested and detained overnight in October after being kicked out of the Mine Tavern in Nelsonville. He pleaded guilty to two counts of disorderly conduct and was fined $360.

 

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