Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Threatens Lawsuit Over Sheriff Payroll Takeover

O'Malley warns County Executive Ronayne to halt efforts or face legal action

Jan. 29, 2026 at 10:55am

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Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O'Malley has issued a cease-and-desist letter to County Executive Chris Ronayne, warning him to halt efforts to take control of the Sheriff's Department's fiscal operations or face a lawsuit. O'Malley argues that the sheriff is an independent officer with sole authority over the administration of his office and its employees, including approving payroll. However, Ronayne's administration has already assumed control over approving the Sheriff's Department's payroll, which O'Malley views as a violation of the county charter.

Why it matters

This dispute highlights an ongoing power struggle between the county prosecutor and the county executive over who has the authority to oversee the Sheriff's Department's operations, including fiscal and personnel matters. The outcome could have significant implications for the independence and functioning of the Sheriff's Department.

The details

According to the letter, Ronayne's administration has transferred the Sheriff's Department's human resources staff under the central county office and has now taken control of approving the department's payroll, with a county fiscal officer signing off on paystubs. O'Malley argues that these actions conflict with his legal opinion that the sheriff is the appointing authority for the office and has sole authority over supervising and overseeing his employees. The county, however, has issued a competing legal opinion that gives Ronayne authority over at least the fiscal operations of the Sheriff's Department.

  • On Tuesday, January 28, 2026, O'Malley sent the cease-and-desist letter to Ronayne.
  • O'Malley gave Ronayne until Friday, January 31, 2026, to return payroll functions to the sheriff's fiscal team or face litigation.

The players

Michael O'Malley

The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor who has issued a cease-and-desist letter to the county executive, arguing that the sheriff has sole authority over the administration of his office and its employees.

Chris Ronayne

The Cuyahoga County Executive who has sought to transfer the Sheriff's Department's fiscal operations under the county's central fiscal office, a move that O'Malley views as a violation of the county charter.

Harold Pretel

The Cuyahoga County Sheriff, on whose behalf O'Malley has sent the cease-and-desist letter.

Leigh Tucker

A county fiscal department employee who is now signing off on the Sheriff's Department's paystubs, according to the letter.

Donna Kaleal and Chris Costin

Top fiscal officers in the Sheriff's Department who publicly challenged Ronayne's budget projections for sheriff overtime spending.

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What they’re saying

“We would be happy to engage in a discussion with you aimed at resolving this issue short of litigation, as we would like to avoid having to spend taxpayer dollars on outside counsel.”

— Michael O'Malley, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor (cleveland.com)

“The County charter and County code are explicitly clear: the County Executive has the authority to supervise and hire employees within Executive agencies.”

— Kelly Woodard, Cuyahoga County Communications Director (cleveland.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Friday, January 31, 2026, whether or not to allow Ronayne to continue the takeover of the Sheriff's Department's payroll functions.

The takeaway

This dispute highlights the ongoing power struggle between the county prosecutor and the county executive over the authority to oversee the Sheriff's Department's operations. The outcome could have significant implications for the independence and functioning of the Sheriff's Department, as well as the broader question of who serves as the chief legal adviser to county departments.