Bowling Green attorney Andrew R. Schuman is set to go to trial today in three separate cases.
A panel of 45 potential jurors were summoned to the Court of Common Please Courtroom 2 at 9 a.m. today to
begin the selection process before visiting Judge Peter Handwork. Handwork is a retired judge of the 6th
District Court of Appeals. The trial is scheduled to run for four days.
As of Monday afternoon, there was a possibility the jury would be dismissed and the case would proceed as
a court trial.
Schuman, 47, was indicted in 2017 in the first case alleging tampering with evidence in July of that
year, in relation to allegedly covering up a reported vehicular collision with a fire hydrant. That
indictment also carries a specification for the possible surrender of a 2011 Hyundai Sonata.
In April 2018, Schuman was indicted with one count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, a
first-degree felony; five counts of tampering with records and one count of perjury, all third-degree
felonies; and one count each of theft and telecommunications fraud, both fifth-degree felonies.
His third case pending is one count of attempted obstructing justice.
According to Wood County Prosecutor Paul Dobson, Schuman approached a city prosecutor in a Wood County
jurisdiction and asked for the person to file misdemeanor charges against him, based on conduct that had
previously resulted in felony charges against him. This was allegedly done so that he could plead to
lesser charges.
As a result of these cases, Schuman was suspended from practicing law in December 2017 for one year with
the final six months of that term stayed on conditions. In June 2018 he was reinstated to practice law
by the disciplinary counsel, relator of the Supreme Court of Ohio.
The cases stem from the attorney’s alleged actions in both Wood and Hancock counties but are being heard
together in Wood County.
Dobson said because some of the charges are filed as “in the alternative” meaning the charges involve the
same incident but alternative charges, he wouldn’t be sentenced on the same offense in two separate
charges. However, Dobson said should Schuman be convicted on all counts he could be facing a maximum of
31 years in prison.