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GEORGEANNA M. SEMARY vs. LESLIE ANN CELEBREZZE, ET AL.
A Miscellaneous - Other case was filed by (Subcribe to view) represented by (Subcribe to view) against (Subscribe to view) represented by (Subscribe to view) in the jurisdiction of Cuyahoga County, OH. Judge ANDREW J. SANTOLI presiding.
Case Details
Case Number
Filing Date
September 05, 2023
Last Refreshed
December 04, 2023
Filing Location
Cuyahoga County, OH
OTHER JUDGES ON THIS CASE
Leslie Ann;Category
MISCELLANEOUS - OTHER
Case Outcome Type
NEWLY FILED
Status
Active
OTHER JUDGES ON THIS CASE
Overview
This is a civil-rights action brought by Plaintiff Georgeanna Semary under R.C. 2307.60,
which establishes civil liability for criminal acts. The alleged criminal acts against Ms. Semary include
witness and public-employee intimidation and retaliation, interference with civil and statutory rights,
falsification, tampering with records, and dereliction of duty. This action also alleges intentional
infliction of emotional distress.
Ms. Semary was the longtime judicial assistant to Defendant Leslie Ann Celebrezze,
administrative judge of the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Domestic Relations Division
(“DR Court”). As recently as November 2022, Ms. Semary had received perfect scores from
Celebrezze on performance evaluations, gushing praise from Celebrezze, and even performance
bonuses. Ms. Semary and Celebrezze were also close friends.
But then in 2023, Defendant Celebrezze, and other Defendants working for her benefit,
retaliated against Ms. Semary, and sought to intimidate her because she was a witness to an illicit
amorous affair between Celebrezze, who is married, and Mark Dottore—a receiver to whom
Celebrezze regularly and unnecessarily steered lucrative appointments to cases. Celebrezze ensured
Mark Dottore, and his daughter, whom she also appointed, were handsomely rewarded despite
Celebrezze’s being in a long-term, intimate relationship with Mark Dottore.
Defendants also retaliated against Ms. Semary because she discharged her job duties and
complied with the obligations imposed by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution
and the Supreme Court of Ohio’s Rules of Superintendence 44-A7, by allowing a journalist, who
was investigating Celebrezze and Dottore’s unseemly relationship, access to open court records. The
journalist later exposed the relationship in a lune 1. 2023 article published by The Marshall Project.
Once the journalist came sniffing around, Celebrezze—blinded by anger and fearing the
truth was about to come out—sought to discredit and silence Ms. Semary and send a chilling
warning to all court employees to remain silent. As detailed below, Celebrezze knew Ms. Semary
knew too much about the affair. And she knew that, when Ms. Semary was identified as a witness,
Celebrezze’s judicial—and possibly her legal—career would be over.
Causes of Action
Claim 1 Civil Liability for Criminal Acts under R.C. 2307.60 and 2921.04(A)
Claim 2
Claim 4
Claim 6
Case Complaint Summary
This complaint is a service request filed in the Court of Common Pleas in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. The case number is CV 23 984974. The plaintiff, Georgeanna Semary, is requesting service on the defendants, Leslie Ann Celebrezze, James Zak, Susan K…...
Parties
Plaintiffs
Georgeanna M. Semary
Attorneys for Plaintiffs
Donald P Screen
Subodh Chandra
Defendants
James Zak
Justin Seeton
Leslie Ann Celebrezze
Serpil Ergun
Susan K. Sweeney
Attorneys for Defendants
Brendan D. Healy
Linda L Woeber
Lisa Zaring
Matthew T. Fitzsimmons Iv
Case Documents
MOTION FILED FOR ELIZABETH E COLLINS 0091032 MOTION TO STRIKE
Date: Nov 29, 2023
DEFENDANT JUDGE LESLIE ANN CELEBREZZES MOTION TO STAY DISCOVERY
Date: Nov 27, 2023
NOTICE OF MANUAL FILING OF COLOR COPY OF COMPLAINT FILED BY PLAINTIFF
Date: Sep 08, 2023
CASE FILED: COMPLAINT, SERVICE REQUEST
Date: Sep 05, 2023Case Events
| Date | Type | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 01, 2023 | Docket Event |
MOTION FILED FOR D1 LESLIE ANN CELEBREZZE LINDA L WOEBER 0039112 DEFENDANT JUDGE LESLIE ANN CELEBREZZE'S MOTION TO STRIKE PORTIONS OF THE SUBPOENA SERVICE RETURNS FILED BY PLAINTIFF FROM THE RECORD MO 
|
|
| December 01, 2023 |
E-FILING SERVICE EMAIL JAMES ZAK |
||
| December 01, 2023 |
E-FILING SERVICE EMAIL LESLIE ANN CELEBREZZE |
||
| December 01, 2023 |
E-FILING SERVICE EMAIL GEORGEANNA M. SEMARY |
||
| November 30, 2023 |
E-FILING SERVICE EMAIL JAMES ZAK |
||
| November 30, 2023 |
E-FILING SERVICE EMAIL LESLIE ANN CELEBREZZE |
||
| November 30, 2023 |
E-FILING SERVICE EMAIL GEORGEANNA M. SEMARY |
||
| November 29, 2023 | Docket Event |
SUBPOENA SERVICE RETURN FILED HORIZON RESORTS LLC, SUBODH CHANDRA (0069233) SERVICE RETURN RECEIPT FOR SUBPOENA TO HORIZON RESORTS LLC (LA QUINTA INN BY WYNDHAM CLEVELAND INDEPENDENCE) SR |
|
| November 29, 2023 | Docket Event |
MOTION FILED FOR ELIZABETH E COLLINS 0091032 MOTION TO STRIKE MO |
|
| November 29, 2023 | Docket Event |
NOTICE OF APPEARANCE, FILED ELIZABETH E COLLINS 0091032. NOTICE OF APPEARANCE OF COUNSEL NT |
|
| November 29, 2023 |
E-FILING SERVICE EMAIL JAMES ZAK |
||
| November 29, 2023 |
E-FILING SERVICE EMAIL LESLIE ANN CELEBREZZE |
||
| November 29, 2023 |
E-FILING SERVICE EMAIL GEORGEANNA M. SEMARY |
||
| November 27, 2023 | Docket Event |
MOTION FILED FOR DEFENDANT(S) JAMES ZAK(D2), SUSAN K. SWEENEY(D3), JUSTIN SEETON(D4) and SERPIL ERGUN(D5) BRENDAN D. HEALY 0081225 MOTION TO STAY DISCOVERY OF DEFENDANTS JAMES ZAK, SUSAN SWEENEY, JUSTIN SEETON, AND SERPIL ERGUN MO |
|
| November 27, 2023 | Docket Event |
DEFENDANT JUDGE LESLIE ANN CELEBREZZE'S MOTION TO STAY DISCOVERY MO
|
|
| November 27, 2023 |
E-FILING SERVICE EMAIL JAMES ZAK |
||
| November 27, 2023 |
E-FILING SERVICE EMAIL LESLIE ANN CELEBREZZE |
||
| November 27, 2023 |
E-FILING SERVICE EMAIL GEORGEANNA M. SEMARY |
||
| November 21, 2023 |
E-FILING SERVICE EMAIL JAMES ZAK |
||
| November 21, 2023 |
E-FILING SERVICE EMAIL LESLIE ANN CELEBREZZE |
||
| November 21, 2023 |
E-FILING SERVICE EMAIL GEORGEANNA M. SEMARY |
||
| November 20, 2023 | Docket Event |
MOTION FOR EXTENSION OF TIME PLAINTIFF GEORGEANNA SEMARY'S MOTION FOR 30-DAY EXTENSIONS OF TIME TO FILE BRIEF IN OPPOSITION TO DEFENDANT CELEBREZZE'S MOTION TO DISMISS CLAIMS 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, AND 8 OF THE COMPLAINT AND TO AMEND THE COMPLAINT WITHOUT LEAVE MO |
|
| November 17, 2023 |
E-FILING SERVICE EMAIL JAMES ZAK |
||
| November 17, 2023 |
E-FILING SERVICE EMAIL LESLIE ANN CELEBREZZE |
||
| November 17, 2023 |
E-FILING SERVICE EMAIL GEORGEANNA M. SEMARY |
||
| November 16, 2023 | Docket Event |
SUBPOENA SERVICE RETURN FILED DOTTORE COMPANIES LLC, SUBODH CHANDRA (0069233) SERVICE RETURN RECEIPT FOR SUBPOENA TO DOTTORE COMPANIES LLC SR |
|
| November 16, 2023 | Docket Event |
SUBPOENA SERVICE RETURN FILED MARK E. DOTTORE, SUBODH CHANDRA (0069233) SERVICE RETURN RECEIPT FOR SUBPOENA TO MARK DOTTORE SR |
|
| November 13, 2023 |
E-FILING SERVICE EMAIL JAMES ZAK |
||
| November 13, 2023 |
E-FILING SERVICE EMAIL LESLIE ANN CELEBREZZE |
||
| November 13, 2023 |
E-FILING SERVICE EMAIL GEORGEANNA M. SEMARY |
||
| November 09, 2023 | Docket Event |
SUBPOENA SERVICE RETURN FILED LISA MORNA C/O JAMES SKIRBUNT, ESQ. - ACCEPTING SERVICE BY EMAIL 2637 EDGEHILL ROAD CLEVELAND HEIGHTS OH 44106, SUBODH CHANDRA (0069233) SERVICE RETURN FOR SUBPOENA TO LISA MORAN SR |
|
| November 06, 2023 | Docket Event |
ANSWER FILED BY DEFENDANT(S) JAMES ZAK(D2), SUSAN K. SWEENEY(D3), JUSTIN SEETON(D4) and SERPIL ERGUN(D5) ATTORNEY BRENDAN D. HEALY 0081225 ANSWER OF DEFENDANTS JAMES ZAK, SUSAN K. SWEENEY, JUSTIN SEETON, AND SERPIL ERGUN TO PLAINTIFF'S COMPLAINT AN |
|
| November 06, 2023 | Docket Event |
MOTION TO DISMISS FILED DEFENDANT JUDGE LESLIE ANN CELEBREZZE'S MOTION TO DISMISS COUNTS 1-3 AND 6-8 OF PLAINTIFF'S COMPLAINT MO
|
|
| November 06, 2023 | Docket Event |
ANSWER FILED BY D1 LESLIE ANN CELEBREZZE ATTORNEY LINDA L WOEBER 0039112 ANSWER AND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES OF DEFENDANT JUDGE LESLIE ANN CELEBREZZE AN
|
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| November 06, 2023 |
E-FILING SERVICE EMAIL JAMES ZAK |
||
| November 06, 2023 |
E-FILING SERVICE EMAIL LESLIE ANN CELEBREZZE |
||
| November 06, 2023 |
E-FILING SERVICE EMAIL GEORGEANNA M. SEMARY |
||
| October 06, 2023 | Docket Event |
NOTICE OF APPEARANCE, FILED DEFENDANT(S) JAMES ZAK(D2), SUSAN K. SWEENEY(D3), JUSTIN SEETON(D4) and SERPIL ERGUN(D5) BRENDAN D. HEALY 0081225. NOTICE OF APPEARANCE NT |
|
| October 06, 2023 |
E-FILING SERVICE EMAIL LESLIE ANN CELEBREZZE |
||
| October 06, 2023 |
E-FILING SERVICE EMAIL GEORGEANNA M. SEMARY |
||
| September 29, 2023 | Docket Event |
SUBPOENA SERVICE RETURN FILED LISA MORAN, SUBODH CHANDRA (0069233) SERVICE RETURN RECEIPT FOR SUBPOENA TO LISA MORAN SR |
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| September 29, 2023 |
E-FILING SERVICE EMAIL LESLIE ANN CELEBREZZE |
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| September 29, 2023 |
E-FILING SERVICE EMAIL GEORGEANNA M. SEMARY |
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| September 28, 2023 |
E-FILING SERVICE EMAIL LESLIE ANN CELEBREZZE |
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| September 28, 2023 |
E-FILING SERVICE EMAIL GEORGEANNA M. SEMARY |
||
| September 27, 2023 | Docket Event |
SUBPOENA SERVICE RETURN FILED DOTTORE COMPANIES LLC C/O ROBERT T. GLICKMAN, SATUTORY AGENT 101 WEST PROSPECT AVENUE, SUITE 1800 CLEVELAND, OH 44115, SUBODH CHANDRA (0069233) SERVICE RETURN FOR SUBPOENA TO DOTTORE COMPANIES LLC SR |
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| September 27, 2023 | Docket Event |
NOTICE OF APPEARANCE, FILED D1 LESLIE ANN CELEBREZZE LISA ZARING 0080659. NOTICE OF APPEARANCE OF LISA M. ZARING FOR DEFENDANT JUDGE LESLIE ANN CELEBREZZE NT
|
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| September 27, 2023 | Docket Event |
NOTICE OF APPEARANCE, FILED D1 LESLIE ANN CELEBREZZE LINDA L WOEBER 0039112. NOTICE OF APPEARANCE OF LINDA L. WOEBER FOR DEFENDANT JUDFGE LESLIE ANN CELEBREZZE NT |
|
| September 27, 2023 |
E-FILING SERVICE EMAIL GEORGEANNA M. SEMARY |
||
| September 22, 2023 | Docket Event |
SUBPOENA SERVICE RETURN FILED MARK E. DOTTORE, SUBODH CHANDRA (0069233) SERVICE RETURN RECEIPT FOR SUBPOENA TO MARK DOTTORE SR |
|
| September 22, 2023 |
E-FILING SERVICE EMAIL GEORGEANNA M. SEMARY |
||
| September 18, 2023 | Docket Event |
WAIVER OF SERVICE OF SUMMONS RETURNED SIGNED ON 09/18/2023 RULE 4.7 WAIVER OF THE SERVICE OF SUMMONS RETURNED BY DEFENDANTS JAMES ZAK, SUSAN K. SWEENEY, JUSTIN SEETON, AND SERPIL ERGUN SR |
|
| September 18, 2023 |
E-FILING SERVICE EMAIL GEORGEANNA M. SEMARY |
||
| September 08, 2023 | Docket Event |
WAIVER OF SERVICE OF SUMMONS RETURNED SIGNED ON 09/07/2023 WAIVER OF THE SERVICE OF SUMMONS RETURNED BY DEFENDANT LESLIE ANN CELEBREZZE SR |
|
| September 08, 2023 | Docket Event |
NOTICE OF MANUAL FILING OF COLOR COPY OF COMPLAINT FILED BY PLAINTIFF NT |
|
| September 08, 2023 |
E-FILING SERVICE EMAIL GEORGEANNA M. SEMARY |
||
| September 07, 2023 | Docket Event |
SUMMONS E-FILE COPY COST SR |
|
| September 07, 2023 | Docket Event |
WAIVER OF SER. OF SUM. REQUEST(51793818) SENT BY PLAINTIFF. TO: JUSTIN SEETON 2531 SOUREK RD., AKRON, OH 44333 SR |
|
| September 07, 2023 | Docket Event |
WAIVER OF SER. OF SUM. REQUEST(51793815) SENT BY PLAINTIFF. TO: LESLIE ANN CELEBREZZE 8924 STOVER LN., CLEVELAND, OH 44141 SR |
|
| September 07, 2023 | Docket Event |
WAIVER OF SER. OF SUM. REQUEST(51793819) SENT BY PLAINTIFF. TO: SERPIL ERGUN 39199 GLENLIVET CT., SOLON, OH 44139 SR |
|
| September 07, 2023 | Docket Event |
WAIVER OF SER. OF SUM. REQUEST(51793816) SENT BY PLAINTIFF. TO: JAMES ZAK 4946 AUTUMNWOOD LN., BRUNSWICK, OH 44212 SR |
|
| September 07, 2023 | Docket Event |
WAIVER OF SER. OF SUM. REQUEST(51793817) SENT BY PLAINTIFF. TO: SUSAN K. SWEENEY 6045 REDFORD RD., NW NORTH CANTON, OH 44720 SR |
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| September 05, 2023 | Docket Event |
CASE FILED: COMPLAINT, SERVICE REQUEST SF |
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| September 05, 2023 | Docket Event |
CLERK'S FEE SF |
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| September 05, 2023 | Docket Event |
LEGAL AID SF |
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| September 05, 2023 | Docket Event |
JUDGE ANDREW J\. SANTOLI ASSIGNED (RANDOM) SF
|
|
| September 05, 2023 | Docket Event |
DEPOSIT AMOUNT PAID SUBODH CHANDRA SF |
|
| September 05, 2023 | Docket Event |
COURT SPECIAL PROJECTS FUND SF |
|
| September 05, 2023 | Docket Event |
LEGAL RESEARCH SF |
|
| September 05, 2023 | Docket Event |
COMPUTER FEE SF |
|
| September 05, 2023 | Docket Event |
LEGAL NEWS SF |
