Letter Prompts Investigation into CASA Executive

February 24, 2026 by Allison Wilson

**Editor’s Note: This article has been updated with a response from Ohio Auditor of State Keith Faber**

An investigation has been opened into CASA for Kids Executive Director Mary Ruth Shumway after letters that appear to endorse a candidate for Geauga County juvenile/probate judge were distributed, court officials confirmed Feb. 18.

“We’re in the due process business and the issue has arisen and it is part of a judge’s duty to conduct an investigation,” said retired Judge Robert Berger, who is temporarily filling the position.

He added a public announcement will follow once the investigation is complete.

The letter, dated Feb. 9 and addressed to CASA volunteers, was printed on CASA letterhead and bears Shumway’s signature as executive director.

“I want to be clear that this letter is strictly to educate you and not to require or request you to vote for any particular candidate,” Shumway wrote, referring to the upcoming May primary, in which three Republican candidates — Magistrate Abbey King, Stephanie Anderson and Kate Jacob —  are running for juvenile/probate judge.

The letter provided background on each candidate and alleged that Anderson, described as “formerly a Democrat and aligned with (Chardon) Municipal Court Judge Terri Stupica,” approached CASA volunteers at The Great Geauga County Fair last summer, saying she wanted to “bring in attorneys”  because “‘CASAs don’t know their job.’”

Shumway also referenced a 2024 conversation with Anderson in which Anderson reportedly said she wanted to replace CASA with attorney guardians ad-litem.

“Stephanie told me she would get rid of CASA in Geauga County,” Shumway wrote.

Shumway alleged Jacob has not practiced law in eight years.

“Typically, a Republican wins in Geauga County. That means whoever wins the primary will become our new judge in the juvenile court,” she wrote, encouraging volunteers who are registered Republicans to vote in the Republican primary.

“In my opinion, only Magistrate Abbey L. King is qualified for the job of Geauga County Juvenile/Probate Judge,” Shumway wrote.

She did not respond to multiple requests for comment prior to press deadline, which included questions about whether King was aware of the letter, whether it was drafted or mailed during court hours and if use of the letterhead was authorized.

In a Feb. 18 interview, Anderson said she had learned about the letter after a local property owner, whose building she wanted to place signs in front of, said he could not support her if the allegations were true.

Anderson said she understands the letter was distributed via email, though she had heard rumors of a hard copy.

A court employee sent it through the court’s email system Feb. 11, copying Shumway and roughly 60-63 recipients, she said, adding King was not on the initial distribution list.

“My first reaction was as a former prosecutor who prosecuted violations of (Ohio Revised Code Section) 9.03 … how inappropriate and unethical sending the letter was,” Anderson said.

ORC 9.03 prohibits governing bodies from using public funds to support or oppose a candidate for public office. It also forbids using public funds to benefit a candidate, political party or campaign committee.

Anderson said she has never voted as a Democrat in a Geauga County primary and does not understand what it means to be “aligned” with Stupica, whom she has only interacted with a few times.

The conversations cited in the letter were also misrepresented, Anderson said. In reality, she said she discussed wanting to encourage more attorneys to serve as guardians ad-litem in addition to CASA volunteers.

“I have never, ever said I was going to get rid of the CASA program,” Anderson said.

The 2024 conversation with Shumway occurred long before Anderson had announced any plans to run for judge, she said, adding she had been discussing CASA funding as a board member of Hope for Kids Geauga.

Anderson said she filed a complaint with the state auditor’s office regarding the letter.

Jacob condemned the use of public resources for political purposes and called on fellow candidates to do the same.

“Using public resources for political campaigning and making derogatory characterizations undermines the public’s confidence in the judiciary,” she said. “The people of Geauga County deserve better. They deserve a judge with the highest ethical standards who has demonstrated experience in restoring integrity, transparency and fiscal responsibility to Geauga County’s public offices.”

Geauga County Board of Elections records show five protests were filed against Jacob’s campaign Feb. 20, alleging she does not satisfy the qualifications required for judicial office because a candidate must be engaged in the practice of law for at least six years before their term begins. The protests requested her removal from the May ballot.

Board of Elections Director Tyler Plants said Feb. 24 that the petitions were found insufficient to warrant a hearing. A following press release on Feb. 25 added that the protest filings were deemed invalid and legally insufficient because the protests cited legal grounds that are not applicable to the candidate or office appearing on the ballot

A public records request to the court had not been returned prior to press deadline.

“At this time, the court can confirm that the correspondence of Feb 9, 2026, was drafted by Mary Ruth Shumway and was NOT authorized or approved by the judge, the court administrator, either of the magistrates, or any department head at the probate/juvenile court, nor to the best of his knowledge, did any person listed above receive a copy of the letter from Ms. Shumway,” said Court Administrator Kim Laurie in a Feb. 20 email.

The request will not be returned until the investigation is complete, Laurie said.

The situation advanced Feb. 24 when Geauga County Commissioners approved appointing law firm McDonald Hopkins to serve as Berger’s legal council.

Geauga County Prosecutor Jim Flaiz said the appointment involved issues related to a court employee or employees and a pending criminal investigation, though he would not confirm whether it was connected to the letter.

“Just as a general matter, I will tell you, and make sure you let your employees know that if you’re on the clock and you’re using your public email and public resources and public employees, don’t do campaigning,” Flaiz said. “Because that is a crime.”

Following the vote, Commissioner Jim Dvorak described the action as “very pathetic and very low of a county employee.”

Anderson similarly decried the letter.

“This is what keeps good candidates from running for public office,” she said. “The mud-slinging and dirty politics are tiresome. Integrity in public service should be non-negotiable. Even when there is the appearance of impropriety, citizens begin to lose trust in government institutions.”

In a Feb. 23 letter to Shumway, Ohio Auditor of State Keith Faber confirmed his office is aware of the allegations against Shumway.

“The Ohio Auditor of State (AOS) has been advised that you may have inappropriately engaged in a campaign practice in violation of Ohio law in support of a candidate on the primary election ballot May 5, 2026,” Faber wrote. “We received information that you used Geauga County CASA letterhead for a letter supporting the candidacy of Magistrate Abbey King for Geagua County juvenile/probate judge and was transmitted using a county email address, and which is intended to influence the outcome of the upcoming election.”

Faber also referred to the aforementioned ORC section.

“Accordingly, I am writing to advise you of AOS’s knowledge of the alleged campaign practice and to call your attention to the statutory provision above. We have not confirmed the accuracy of these allegations. Please be aware that if they are true, the activity needs to cease and desist immediately,” Faber wrote. “All information about this matter is being forwarded to AOS regional staff for review in the county’s next regular audit.”