Dayton activist and citizen journalist David Esrati has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Montgomery County Clerk of Courts Mike Foley, alleging retaliation, abuse of power, and misuse of public resources after Esrati sought Foley’s removal from office following a criminal conviction. The complaint details how Foley allegedly used his office, staff, and official communications channels to file a civil protection order, issue a “murder threat” press release, and invite media coverage, actions Esrati says were intended to silence a critic and deter others from holding public officials accountable.

Ohio asks voters to elect coroners, engineers, clerks, judges, sheriffs, prosecutors, auditors, treasurers, school boards, and more, then leaves ordinary citizens nearly powerless when one of them abuses the office. I know, because I’ve had to fight these battles myself. Ohio needs a real Public Integrity Officer in every county, with the power to investigate, subpoena, enforce public records and open meetings laws, and pursue removal when public officials betray the public trust.

Montgomery County Board of Elections sent incorrect ballots in Kettering and is now mailing withdrawal notices to the wrong voters, creating confusion about candidate Joseph Abrams’ status in multiple races.

David Esrati sued in Federal Court today to force the FEC to stop relying on self-reported data on campaign contributions. His argument is that if people have to register to vote, donors should have to register to donate. Reporting should be in real time- and verified.

At an emergency meeting on April 20, 2026, the Montgomery County Democratic Party tried to push a last minute endorsement in the contested Ohio House District 39 primary. Members challenged the process, the lack of notice, and pressure from Columbus tied to possible funding. In the end, the room rejected the endorsement, and for one night at least, democracy beat the insiders.