Courts Archives – Athens County Independent

Local landlords settle federal sexual harassment case for $480k

By Dani Kington ● Courts ● December 18, 2025

While claims against Joe Lucas remain pending, his family members entered the settlement agreement.

Latest in Courts

Former survivor services director hopes to toss complaint against her

By Dani Kington ● Courts ● November 20, 2025

In the latest salvo in her legal battle against SAOP, Jen Seifert says facts about a 3D printer payment are in her favor.

Victor Laverde Laguna and his brother Gregory Laverde Laguna were met in the Athens County Court of Common Pleas Wednesday by a crowd of supporters.

Court dismisses cases against brothers detained by ICE

By Dani Kington ● Courts ● November 14, 2025

The cases were dismissed with prejudice, meaning the charges cannot be brought again by the state.

ODNR faces multiple legal challenges to injection well approvals (Updated)

By Dani Kington & Eric Boll ● Environment ● November 13, 2025

The ODNR granted the fracking waste injection well permits at issue under outdated rules earlier this year.

Defense attorney Scott Petroff addresses Athens County Court of Common Pleas Judge Patrick Lang on behalf of Victor Laverde Laguna, who sits with his brother, Gregory Laverde Laguna.

County prosecutor declines to exonerate brothers detained by ICE

By Dani Kington ● Courts ● November 13, 2025

Gregory Laverde Laguna and Victor Laverde Laguna were brought to Athens County for a hearing in local criminal cases Wednesday.

Brothers facing charges in Athens County handed over to ICE

By Corinne Colbert & Dani Kington ● Policing & Courts ● November 3, 2025

It was not immediately clear how events unfolded locally or whether local officials cooperated with federal immigration agents.

Ohio Supreme Court denies Nelsonville’s request to remove candidates (Updated)

By Keri Johnson ● Government ● September 18, 2025

The city asked that certified candidates seeking municipal offices be removed, based on Nelsonville’s upcoming transition to a statutory government.

Equitas Health facing racial discrimination lawsuit

By Soleil Woolard ● Courts ● September 2, 2025

Former Equitas employee Ivory Davolio sued over alleged pay inequalities and retaliation in the workplace.

A sign for Nelsonville City Hall, and the building's exterior.

Nelsonville elections Ohio Supreme Court case reopens

By Keri Johnson ● Government ● August 28, 2025

The Ohio Supreme Court granted the city’s motion for reconsideration after it closed a suit seeking to remove some races from the November general election ballot.

Survivor advocacy org says former director misused nearly $1 million

By Dani Kington ● Courts ● August 21, 2025

In a countersuit, SAOP alleges that Jen Seifert improperly spent grant funds, lost $700,000 through an unauthorized transaction, and benefited inappropriately from a land sale.