LORAIN COUNTY, Ohio (WOIO) – The seat of Lorain County District Attorney is on the ballot in November and it’s up for grabs JD Tomlinson is contested by the Republican Tony Cillo.

Tomlinson, a Democrat, currently faces charges of tampering with evidence, intimidation and attempted bribery.

Democrat JD Tomlinson

Tomlinson began his term as prosecutor in 2021.

During his time as prosecutor, Tomlinson conducted seven extensive human trafficking investigations, two of which involved child victims.

The largest human trafficking case in Lorain County history was prosecuted in May 2023, ending with a 199-year sentence for Stefan Gilbert.

In June 2024, a new fraud protection unit was launched, working to educate the public on how to avoid fraud.

Republican Tony Cillo

Cillo, a licensed attorney, served in the Lorain County Prosecutor’s Office for 27 years before resigning in 2024. He is currently the associate director of the Lorain County Drug Task Force, according to his campaign website.

Cillo launched his campaign in December 2023.

Courtroom prosecutor, senior counsel, chief of the criminal division and chief of major crimes are all titles Cillo has held during his time in the DA’s office.

Tomlinson’s legal battle

Some Lorain County voters see this as a contentious race as JD Tomlinson faces charges in court related to his first term as district attorney.

His chief of staff, James Burge, appeared in court alongside Tomlinson, facing tampering with evidence and intimidation charges.

The allegations are related to allegations made by former employee Jennifer Battistelli.

A Lorain County Sheriff’s Office report alleges that Battistelli began working at the prosecutor’s office in January 2021 and later that spring began dating Tomlinson.

Battistelli claimed in the report that Tomlinson became obsessed with her and would call her a hundred times a day, leading to her resignation and filing a formal complaint against Tomlinson.

She said Tomlinson and Burge tried to make false statements in an effort to get her to drop the complaints.

Tomlinson began his term as prosecutor in 2021.

19 Election Day News Coverage

19 News will be live in Lorain County on Election Day as voters cast their ballots. Coverage will be available live and online throughout Election Day and as results come in.

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