2013/2014 News Coverage

Friedman & Nemecek, L.L.C. Attorneys at Law

Cleveland.com - Judge Sentences Drunken Driver to Seven Years in Crash That Killed Former Cleveland State Police Chief
December 17, 2014
Defense attorney Ian Friedman hailed Mitchell as well, and offered his condolences to Mitchell's family. He called Picha's actions selfish, saying Picha failed to realize the consequences of his actions. Picha was headed to a doctor to check on a leg injury from snowboarding when the accident took place.

News-Herald.com - Willoughby Man Sentenced for Child Pornography
December 1, 2014
Attorney Friedman's client who previous pleaded guilty to child pornography charges received a jail sentence of 45 days in the Lake County Common Pleas Court.

StowSentry.com - Stow Man Accused of Unleashing "Malicious" Computer Code
November 23, 2014
Attorney Friedman represents a man accused of transmitting a dangerous computer code at his former workplace with the intent of destroying company information.

Cleveland.com - T.J. Lane Will Not Be Charged for Recent Prison Escape
Oct. 24, 2014
"Does that prosecutor want to give T.J. Lane another stage?" asked Ian Friedman, Lane's attorney. Lane is now in a more secure prison in Youngstown.

Cleveland.com - Parma Substitute Teacher's Request for Diversion Program Denied in Child Endangering Case
Oct. 14, 2014
In a ruling issued Friday, Judge Kenneth Spanagel denied Mellinger's request to be considered for the Parma Municipal Court's diversion program. The program allows offenders to complete a court-ordered sentence, such as community service, in lieu of jail time if convicted. Defense attorney Ian Friedman said he respected the judge's decision.

DaytonDailyNews.com - Miami County Lawyer Seeks Special Prosecutor
Sept. 17, 2014
Attorney Christopher Bucio’s lawyer Ian Friedman of Cleveland asked Miami County Judge Christopher Gee to prohibit the county prosecutor’s office from investigating the pending case against Bucio because of an alleged conflict of interest. The office is led by Prosecutor Anthony “Tony” Kendell.

Cleveland.com - Parma Substitute Teacher Accused of Child Endangering Has Diversion Hearing Postponed Again
September 17, 2014
Defense attorney Ian Friedman requested the continuance because he hasn't received documents he subpoenaed from the Parma schools and Mellinger's employer, staffing agency The Renhill Group.

T.J. Lane Prison Escape and Capture
September 11-12, 2014

• BBC - School killer TJ Lane recaptured after Ohio jail break
• CNN - Chardon school killer TJ Lane: Tightlipped about motive, escape
• ABC News - Notorious High School Shooter T.J. Lane in Custody After Prison Escape
• WKYC 3 - Lane's former attorney shocked, not surprised by escape
• Cleveland.com - Chardon shooter T.J. Lane's former defense attorney 'shocked' by his escape from prison
• WGN TV - Convicted high school shooter TJ Lane captured after prison escape
• Detroit Free Press - T.J. Lane, escaped Ohio school shooter, recaptured
• Fox 8 WGHP - School shooter T.J. Lane captured after prison escape
• USA Today - Escaped School Shooter T.J Lane Recaptured
• The Washington Post – Escaped school shooter T.J Lane back in custody
• LA Times - Ohio high school shooter T.J. Lane caught after prison escape
• Fox 8 Cleveland - Member of Lane's defense team 'not that surprised' by bold action
• ABC 7 - Notorious high school shooter T.J. Lane escapes from prison
• KTLA 5 - Convicted High School Shooter T.J. Lane Back in Custody After Prison Escape
• WHIO - Chardon school shooter escapes prison with Carlisle inmate
• Business Insider - High School Shooter Who Escaped From Prison Has Been Captured; One Inmate Still At-Large

JSOnline.com - What Is Wrong With Kids These Days?
September 10, 2014
The bullies were all rounded up Wednesday and they face charges ranging from misdemeanor assault to disorderly conduct. However, chances are the bullies will not face any time because , as heinous as th is was, "It's going to be difficult because under state law there's really not a lot of offenses that fit," said Ian Friedman, a criminal defense attorney.

Fox8.com - Police Identify Students Involved in Attack on Teen With Autism
September 8, 2014
Attorney Ian Friedman discusses the types of criminal charges that could be brought against the juveniles who attacked an autistic teen.

Cleveland.com - Diversion Hearing Rescheduled for Parma Substitute Teacher Accused of Child Endangering
September 03, 2014
The hearing for Gregg Mellinger, 49, of North Ridgeville, was scheduled for Wednesday but was postponed to Sept. 17 due to a scheduling conflict for defense attorney Ian Friedman.

Fox8.com - New Details in Aliza Sherman’s Murder Investigation
August 28, 2014
“So the evidence, the police reports, the witness statements, and so forth, that which we would normally get in all the cases, some of it here they have concerns about turning it over because now as we understand from yesterday a lot of it does have to do with the investigation in the Sherman murder and that is why it is given over to the judge under seal,” Friedman said.

Cleveland.com - Investigations Into Courthouse Bomb Threats and Aliza Sherman Murder Are "Parallel" and "Intertwined," Prosecutors Say
August 28, 2014
Moore, through his attorney Ian Friedman, has denied any involvement in Sherman's death. He gave a statement to police shortly after the March 24, 2013 stabbing , which happened outside his offices, after he had a meeting with Sherman to prepare for her upcoming divorce trial.

Cleveland.com - Attorneys Say County Prosecutors Won't Turn Over Evidence in Bomb Threat Case Against Local Lawyer Gregory Moore
August 27, 2014
The failure to turn over the records has prevented Moore him from preparing his defense, according to attorneys Ian Friedman and Kristina Suppler.

Cleveland.com - Parma Substitute Teacher Accused of Endangering Children Requests Diversion Program
July 23, 2014
Ian Friedman, the attorney for a substitute teacher accused of endangering children, has asked the court to consider his client for its diversion program.

Cleveland.com - Teen Accused of Firing Shot Through Neighbors Home Given Fine, Probation
July 17, 2014
Anne Keller, an attorney representing Gilchrist, said her client has become more cognizant of gun safety since the incident, and has even taken a gun safety class as a refresher.

Keller cited Gilchrist's lack of criminal history when she asked Hagan to impose a fine and probation rather than jail time.

"The police detective determined it was an accident," she said.

Cleveland.com - Man Who Struck and Seriously Injured Bicyclist After Drinking in Ohio City Granted New Trial
July 10, 2014
"The appellate court validated our contention that the State of Ohio failed to produce crucial evidence in advance of trial to the prior defense team," Attorney Friedman said.

[Transcript of Verdict] - Trial of Ben Suarez and Suarez Corporation Industries, Inc.
View the transcript of the jury's verdict for Ben Suarez and his company, SCI, represented by Attorney Ian Friedman.

Ohio.com - Lawyers for Ben Suarez Battle Lone Guilty Verdict in Campaign Finance Case
July 4, 2014
Attorney Ian Friedman, who successfully defended SCI against all of the government’s accusations, said Suarez will vigorously fight his conviction in his appeal.
“We have great confidence in Mr. Suarez’s defense team,” Friedman said. “We know that they will be appealing that one issue and we are very optimistic that he, too, will be eventually cleared of all charges.

Cleveland.com - Ben Suarez Trial's Jury Foreman Talks Publicly in Q&A About Deliberations, Government's Star Witness, Obstruction of Justice, Renacci and Mandel
July 03, 2014
Attorney Ian Friedman: "Well prepared. His ability to articulate questions so they would hold up to objections allowed us to hear the case he wanted to present."

Cleveland.com - Ben Suarez Acquitted on All Charges Except One -- Witness-Tampering/Obstruction of Justice for Letter to SCI Controller
June 30, 2014
Defense attorney Ian Friedman, who represented SCI, called the trial "Round One" of a long heavyweight fight, and he expressed optimism at Suarez's lawyers' ability to overcome the one felony count on which he was convicted.

"We have great confidence in Mr. Suarez's defense team, and I know they will file an appeal on that issue, and that Mr. Suarez will be acquitted in the end," Friedman said.

Cleveland.com - Ben Suarez Found Not Guilty of Violating Campaign Finance Laws
June 30, 2014
"The 500 people who work for SCI know they can go to work tomorrow and the lights will be on and they can keep earning a living for their families," said defense attorney Ian Friedman.

Cleveland.com - Ben Suarez Trial Closing Arguments: Feds Characterize Him as Evil Wizard; Defense Says He Committed No Crimes
June 26, 2014
Defense attorney Ian Friedman argued to the jury that there was no evidence Suarez or anyone at SCI destroyed or hid documents sought by the FBI. He did concede the company was negligent in its response to the subpoenas.

"Were they late? Sure," Friedman said. "SCI apologizes for that. But in the end the documents got there.

"Ben Suarez made a mistake, but a mistake is not a crime," Friedman said.

Cleveland.com - Ben Suarez Made Costly Mistake, Defense Attorney Says
June 04, 2014
If Ben Suarez knew he was committing a federal offense, then he knowingly put his family in harm's way. That's the argument defense attorney Ian Friedman presented during closing statements on Thursday.

Cleveland.com - FBI Agent Identifies Dozens of Documents Ben Suarez Failed to Supply After Subpoenas
June 23, 2014
"There was never any attempt by SCI to orchestrate stories, nor did SCI engage in any conduct that could be characterized as witness tampering," said SCI attorney Ian Friedman.

Cleveland.com - Anesthesiologist Who Sexually Assaulted Patient Will Leave the Country After Serving His Sentence.
06/16/2014
Attorney Friedman represented the doctor in this case. Originally began as a rape case, he only served 29 days as sanction before leaving per his request to his country of origin.

CantonRep.com - Giorgio Wraps Up Testimony in Suarez Trial
06/14/2014
Ian Friedman, a defense attorney representing SCI, asked Giorgio about the day FBI agents searched the company’s offices for records and documents related to the campaign contributions.

Michael Giorgio was grilled about what the 72-year-old Suarez instructed him to do related to allegations the two conspired to break federal election law in an effort to gain the favor of two federal politicians in a legal dispute brought against SCI by a group of district attorneys in California.

DaytonDailyNews.com - Some Counts Canceled in Beck Criminal Case
06/04/2014
Defense attorneys, such as legal expert Ian Friedman, say the numerous counts in a case like this can be a bit deceiving because in reality the prosecutors are charging him several different ways for the same alleged event.

Cleveland.com - Federal Prosecutors in Ben Suarez Trial Ask Judge to Compel 11 Reluctant Witnesses to Testify Under Immunity
June 02, 2014
"With the trial starting tomorrow (Monday), we're going to let everything that needs to be said happen in the courtroom," Friedman said.

Cleveland.com - Attorney for Substitute Teacher Readying Presentation About Parma Bullying Incident
May 28, 2014
Attorney Ian Friedman requested 30 days to review video of the incident during Mellinger's April 16 pretrial hearing. Friedman said during a pretrial hearing Wednesday at Parma Municipal Court that he's seen the video and is readying a presentation for prosecutors.

CantonRep.com - Suarez Trial Set to Start Next Week in Federal Court
May. 27, 2014
The company itself also rejected a plea offer, said Ian Friedman, a Cleveland attorney representing SCI, a Jackson Township-based direct-marketing company. The company’s plea offer included a $2.5 million fine, the attorney said. If convicted, SCI faces a fine of more than $10 million, Friedman said.

Cleveland.com - Ben Suarez Rejects Final Plea Deal; Faces 10-12 Years in Prison if Convicted of Illegal Contributions
May 27, 2014
Attorney Ian Friedman, who represents Suarez's direct-marketing firm, Suarez Corporation Industries, also rejected a final plea offer that would have required the company to pay a $2.5 million fine. If convicted, the company could pay a fine of from $10 million to $20 million, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca Lutzko.

Cleveland.com - North Canton Direct-Marketer Ben Suarez Used PAC Money, Josh Mandel's Political Clout to Fight California Deceptive Advertising Lawsuit, Prosecutors Say
May 23, 2014
Company attorney Ian Friedman said: "There was never any attempt by SCI to orchestrate stories, nor did SCI engage in any conduct that could be characterized as witness tampering."

Cleveland.com - Ben Suarez Orchestrated Illegal Campaign Scheme, Per Company CFO Michael Giorgio's Plea Agreement
May 19, 2014
"The entire SCI family is saddened to learn that Michael Giorgio, as part of his guilty pleas, has acknowledged a pattern of his own dishonesty and criminal conduct," said attorney Ian Friedman.

Cleveland.com - "Conviction Integrity Units Like the One Formed Last Week by Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Timothy J. McGinty Are Increasingly Popular - But Do They Work?"
April 21, 2014
Attorney Friedman explains why he thinks the formation of the new Conviction Integrity Unit is important and necessary.

Cleveland.com - "Parma Substitute Teacher Accused in Connection with Bullying Incident Appears in Court"
April 16, 2014
Attorney Ian Friedman is representing substitute teacher charged with endangering children.

Cleveland.com - "Bedford Judge Case Highlights Tricky Legal Issue: Can the Government Make People Hand Over Their Computer Passwords?"
March 7, 2014
Attorney Ian Friedman discusses whether forcing people to provide their computer passwords is a violation of their rights under the Fifth Amendment.

19ActionNews.com - "The Legal Rights to Protect Your Child From School Bullies"
February 13, 2014
Attorney Friedman explains the legal options available to parents whose children are being bullied.

WKYC.com - "Drivers Left with Questions After Traffic Camera Ruling"
January 29, 2014
Attorney Anne Walton Keller provides insight about the 8th District Court of Appeals' ruling that the current process for appealing traffic camera tickets is unconstitutional.

NYtimes.com - Cleveland Man Admits to Abductions
July 26, 2013
Ian Friedman, a law professor in Cleveland and former president of the Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, said that the community was relieved on Friday to learn of the plea deal. It is likely that prosecutors agreed to it to bring a quick resolution to the case without extending it for years with appeals. If the case had gone to trial, the victims would have had to relive their traumatic experiences, he said.

CNN: Piers Morgan Live
July 26, 2013
Attorney Ian Friedman discusses the Ariel Castro kidnapping case as a guest on the Piers Morgan Live Show.