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East Cleveland City Council passes legislation to remove Law Director Willa Hemmons

Hemmons, who has served as the law director since 2015, is accused of extortion and other charges.

EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio — East Cleveland City Council has passed a resolution to remove the city's law director.

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According to the legislation, four out of five council members voted to deem the law director position vacant, removing Willa Hemmons from her position on Thursday, Jan. 26. 

Hemmons, who has served as the law director since 2015, is accused of extortion and other charges, including the following: 

  • Failing to abide by the City of East Cleveland Charter when providing legal opinions 
  • Representing Mayor Brandon King in a non-city-related matter
  • Acting unethically and unprofessionally in court proceedings
  • Attempting to unlawfully enter into a monetary agreement with defendants in connection with the deaths of Timothy Russell and Malissa Williams, in violation of the Professional Standards of Conduct for Attorneys in the State of Ohio
  • Violating the city charter by submitting recall petitions to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections to recall members of Council

The law director position, which is currently vacant, will be appointed by the mayor and will need to be confirmed by three-fifths of City Council. 

The full resolution can be viewed below: 

3News reached out to the city of East Cleveland as well as East Cleveland City Counci,l but has not received a response. 

EDITOR'S NOTE: The video below previously aired on 3News on Oct. 5, 2022.

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