An Akron Municipal Court magistrate is disputing claims that his decision to resign is linked to an eviction case he handled involving a woman who told police he was her boyfriend.
Former Magistrate Orlando J. Williams tells the Beacon Journal that he has resigned due to financial reasons.
He denies he had a close relationship with the woman and referred to 25-year-old Ashley Boykin as an "aquaintance" despite dash-cam video from a state highway patrol drunken driving stop in May 2012 when Boykin reportedly told state troopers Williams was her boyfriend. The newspaper reports Boykin made the claim twice, telling police to "...call my boyfriend. He's a judge."
In the May 20th stop, Boykin also asks if she can call her boyfriend and, the newspaper reports, specifically names him as "Orlando." Williams tells the Beacon Journal any comments made by Boykin during her DUI arrest were not credible. He also tells the newspaper any relationship with Boykin began after she moved out of the apartment in question, when the case was pending a hearing in April. Williams and his wife are in the process of divorce dating back to filing in january, according to the report.
When contacted by the Beacon Journal, Boykin wouldn't qualify or describe her relationship with Williams other than to say it was more of a relationship "as a mentor" and called him a "good judge." In the eviction case involving Boykin, another magistrate ruled against her and awarded the landlord more than $1,300.00 in damages owed by Boykin.
AkronNewsNow has received multiple calls and comments posted on coverage of the case from others who have had cases before Williams complaining about their treatment before Williams as magistrate, including rulings against them even though the other party in the case didn't even show up for the hearing.
Williams' resignation takes effect later this month. He makes $90,000 annually in the post, according to the Beacon Journal, which reported reporter Phil Trexler was first denied access to Williams' salary and personnel records by court officials.
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