Former Ohio state Treasurer Josh Mandel, a Republican who has run for U.S. Senate three times, has been threatened with jail time for noncompliance with a 2020 divorce agreement. After being found in contempt of court along with his ex-wife, Ilana, the pair were sentenced to seven days in jail. However, the sentences can still be avoided if they comply with the conditions set by the court over the next four months. This development is significant as Mandel is a prominent Ohio politician who has been in the public eye for many years.
The court magistrate found that both Mandels had violated elements of the divorce agreement by entering each other’s home without permission and not paying bills related to their children. Additionally, Ilana Mandel was found to have failed to take a child to soccer practice. However, contempt was not issued for several other disputed items, including telephone time with the children and the handling of their 529 college savings account. In order to avoid jail time, Josh Mandel is required to provide regular updates on the 529 account, while Ilana Mandel must pay for a sports program for one of their children.
The divorce case between Josh Mandel and Ilana has drawn significant attention over the years due to Mandel’s political prominence and Ilana’s affiliation with one of Cleveland’s wealthiest families. The case was filed in a county far from Cuyahoga, where they lived, and was kept under seal. Mandel had previously offered redacted copies of the files to news organizations, including The Associated Press, citing concerns for his children’s privacy and safety. However, full public access was denied, and the case was eventually brought to court by The Cincinnati Enquirer, which argued for public disclosure.
In October 2022, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled in favor of The Cincinnati Enquirer, finding that the case had been improperly shielded from public view. This ruling led to the lifting of the seal on the Mandels’ divorce case, providing more transparency into the details of the proceedings. Mandel has a history of running for Senate against Democrat Sherrod Brown and has previously dropped out of a crowded primary in 2022. This latest development in his divorce case adds another layer of complexity to his political career and public image.
Overall, the threat of jail time for noncompliance with a divorce agreement has put Josh Mandel and his ex-wife, Ilana, in the spotlight once again. As a former state Treasurer and three-time U.S. Senate candidate, Mandel’s personal life has garnered attention due to his high profile in Ohio politics. The court’s decision to issue a jail sentence for contempt of court has added another chapter to the ongoing saga of their divorce case, which has been marked by secrecy and legal battles over public disclosure. The next four months will be crucial for both parties as they seek to avoid time behind bars by meeting the court’s conditions.
