By Erica Solvig
Enquirer staff writer

MASON - A former Ohio Supreme Court justice hired to evaluate the city's court operations said he won't take any money for the job after city officials started questioning his services.

It started with questions surrounding retired judge Craig Wright's involvement with the court because Wright is on the Supreme Court's Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline. That 28-member panel could ultimately decide if alleged wrongdoings by Mason Municipal Judge George Parker are true.

City officials also couldn't pay the $10,000 retainer Parker requested until they saw a bill or a contract for Wright's services. After getting a call from the city Law Director Ken Schneider, Wright said he canceled the billing. Parker late Tuesday asked the city to hold off on the payment

"I won't accept," Wright said of payment. "There's going to be no money passed to me, absolutely no way."

The situation is the latest twist in ongoing situation with the municipal court and Parker, who has stirred reaction on everything from court rules to staffing. On one hand, City Council is inquiring whether a different type of court system such as a mayor's court might be better for the city.

Meanwhile, Parker has asked the Supreme Court's disciplinary counsel to investigate complaints that community members and law enforcement have made about him to city officials. The complaints could end up before the grievances commission that Wright is on.

Wright says he is not involved in the grievance complaint at the court level because of the conflict of interest. If a case went forward, he said he would recuse himself.

Because of the investigation, Parker cannot comment. In a statement, Clerk of Courts Bill Scherpenberg wrote that Wright "will evaluate all aspects of the administration of justice." The statement calls Wright "the foremost available expert." He served on the Supreme Court from 1985 to 1996. But Wright made state headlines for an alleged assault of another justice and for allegedly using racial slurs, though disciplinary panels cleared him of misconduct both times.

Wright first met Parker last week. "There are some problems," Wright said. "We have a young, energetic guy who has made, oh, some mistakes. ... God knows I made a few mistakes my first year or two in office. That just happens."

E-mail esolvig@enquirer.com