MARION, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—Marion City Councilman Ayers Ratliff and his wife, Heidi, have initiated a lawsuit against Marion Prosecutor Ray Grogan following a high-profile case that garnered significant public attention.
This legal action comes after Marion County Common Pleas Judge Matthew Frericks granted a motion in January to dismiss the rape charges against Ratliff “without prejudice.” Ratliff had faced accusations related to the alleged rape of a 13-year-old victim.
Grogan, emphasizing that Ayers Ratliff is “not above the law,” had previously advocated for a $500,000 bond in connection with the case, which was ultimately released six months ago.
On Thursday, Ratliff fired back by seeking damages exceeding $25,000 from Grogan’s office. The lawsuit names several defendants, including Prosecutor Ray Grogan, Assistant Prosecutor David Stamolis, Mark Weaver, and several unnamed “John Does.” The situation intensified when Grogan recorded a YouTube video pledging to pursue prosecution against Ratliff to the fullest extent of the law, yet the case ultimately did not proceed, with no further charges brought against Ratliff.
Court documents outline serious allegations against Grogan, including false arrest and wrongful imprisonment, malicious prosecution, retaliation, libel and slander, conspiracy, abuse of process, violation of civil rights, and loss of consortium.
Recent reviews of cases filed by Grogan have revealed a pattern of dismissals, not guilty verdicts, and reductions of serious felony charges to misdemeanors. Notably, in May, Wayne E. Sisson benefited from Grogan’s office’s decision to dismiss several serious charges, including felonious assault and strangulation.
Under a misdemeanor guilty plea arrangement, Sisson received a reduced sentence of 180 days in jail, with most of that time suspended, alongside two years of community control. Sisson was represented by court-appointed attorney Jack VanBibber, who is currently facing investigations for multiple ethical violations.
Marion County Now will continue to provide updates on this unfolding story. For the full text of Ratliff’s lawsuit, click the link below.