Simon L. Leis Jr. (; born June 12, 1934) is a lawyer and local official from

Cincinnati, Ohio Cincinnati ( ; colloquially nicknamed Cincy) is a city in Hamilton County, Ohio, United States, and its county seat. Settled in 1788, the city is located on the northern side of the confluence of the Licking River (Kentucky), Licking and Ohio Ri ...

. He served as County Prosecutor for Hamilton County (1971–1983), a judge in the Court of Common Pleas (1983–1987), and the county sheriff (1987–2012).

Biography

Leis is the son of Simon Leis Sr., a judge in Common Pleas Court. The younger Leis graduated from St. Xavier High School in 1952. After graduating from

Xavier University Xavier University ( ) is a private Jesuit university in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. It is the sixth-oldest Catholic and fourth-oldest Jesuit university in the United States. Xavier had an enrollment of approximately 5,600 undergraduate an ...

, he served in the U.S. Marines, then studied law in night courses at the Salmon P. Chase College of Law (now part of

Northern Kentucky University Northern Kentucky University is a public university in Highland Heights, Kentucky, United States. Established in 1968, it is the youngest of Kentucky's eight public universities. The university has seven constituent colleges in arts and science ...

). He was admitted to the bar and began the practice of law as an assistant in the prosecutor's office. In 1971 Simon was appointed County Prosecutor to replace Melvin Reuger, who had resigned to become a judge. He won re-election three times and served until 1983. His term as prosecutor was marked by several events. His 1974 disclosures during a prostitution investigation forced the resignation of City Councilman

Jerry Springer Gerald Norman Springer (February 13, 1944 – April 27, 2023) was a British-American broadcaster, journalist, actor, lawyer, and politician. He was best known for hosting the controversial tabloid talk show '' Jerry Springer'' from 1991 to 2 ...

(although Springer was elected again and later became mayor). Leis led two high-profile trials, both times earning a conviction, and both later overturned by appellate courts. In 1976 he convicted Cincinnati's Police Chief, Carl Goodin, for taking kick-backs. In 1977 he convicted

Larry Flynt Larry Claxton Flynt Jr. (; November 1, 1942 – February 10, 2021) was an American publisher and the president of Larry Flynt Publications (LFP). LFP mainly produces pornographic magazines, such as '' Hustler'', pornographic videos, and three p ...

, the publisher of '' Hustler'' magazine, on

obscenity An obscenity is any utterance or act that strongly offends the prevalent morality of the time. It is derived from the Latin , , "boding ill; disgusting; indecent", of uncertain etymology. Generally, the term can be used to indicate strong moral ...

charges. This second case was the basis for a 1996 movie, '' The People vs. Larry Flynt'', in which his role was played by political operative

James Carville Chester James Carville Jr. (born October 25, 1944) is an American political consultant, author and occasional actor who has strategized for candidates for public office in the United States and in at least 23 nations abroad. A Democrat, he is a ...

. Leis retired as Hamilton County Sheriff in 2012, and was succeeded by Jim Neil.

References

External links

Hamilton County Sheriff's Office website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Leis, Simon L. Jr. 1934 births Living people Ohio lawyers Ohio sheriffs American prosecutors Military personnel from Cincinnati Xavier University alumni St. Xavier High School (Ohio) alumni