Councilman Brian Kazy Calls on the Cleveland Monitor to Step Down

Mar 18, 2025

Councilman Brian Kazy (Ward 16) has sent an open letter to Karl Racine to step down as the Cleveland Monitor after an incident at Cleveland JACK Casino that has come to light.

The letter reads in part: "On January 7th, Mr. Racine, you were admittedly involved in an incident at or about 2:30 am at the Cleveland JACK Casino. This incident included having an encounter with an off-duty member of the Cleveland Division of Police. During this encounter, your alleged behavior resulted in a call to the Cleveland Police Department’s 3rd District. Prior to the arrival of the on-duty police, you had vacated the premises and was no longer on scene when they arrived. The following day, you met with Cleveland Police Chief Dorothy Todd to inform her of the alleged inappropriate, unprofessional behavior of the Cleveland Police officer however, you refused to file a complaint against the officer. Throughout your encounter with the police officer, you allegedly ‘threw your weight around’ as being a Federal Monitor and a representative of the Department of Justice.

"Because of this incident, the City of Cleveland’s Office of Professional Standard has opened an investigation into your interaction with the police officer and your honesty after the fact."

Councilman Kazy believes Mr. Racine's behavior warrants his resignation. If he refuses, Councilman Kazy plans to formally request U.S. District Judge Solomon Oliver, who oversees the Department of Justice Consent Decree with the city, to take action.

Read the letter here: Open Letter to Step Down as Monitor.