Prosecutor will complete his term

John McDonough’s term as St. Joseph County prosecutor is in the hands of voters, not the county commission.

During their executive committee meeting Wednesday, commissioners took up the subject of a letter co-authored earlier this month by State Rep. Aaron Miller and Colon Township’s Tadd Davis. They urged commissioners to remove McDonough from office for a variety of alleged infractions.

McDonough, who will complete his third four-year term as county prosecutor Dec. 31, has been on medical leave since mid-May. During Wednesday’s meeting, the 40-year-old McDonough told commissioners he expects to receive clearance from his doctor to return to work in early September.

Board chairman Dennis Allen said county boards have limited authority when it comes to elected officials. County administrator Teresa Doehring said as a result of McDonough’s medical leave, chief assistant prosecutor Josh Robare has stepped in and followed protocol according to state statute.

She said the county has done its research and, echoing Allen’s point, its options related to an elected official are limited.

Allen said he’s satisfied with the answers McDonough provided during the virtual meeting and, he added, it appears Robare has a handle on matters in the prosecutor’s office.

McDonough is being challenged in Tuesday’s primary election by attorney David Marvin. They are Republican candidates and the winner of that election does not face a Democratic challenger in November’s general election.