Simon L. Leis, Jr.
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Simon L. Leis, Jr. (born June, 1934) is a lawyer and local official from Cincinnati, Ohio. He has served as County Prosecutor for Hamilton County from 1971-1983, a judge in the court of Common Pleas (1983-1987), and has been the County's Sheriff since 1987.
Leis' father, Simon Sr., was a judge in Common Pleas Court. After Simon Jr. graduated from Xavier University, he served a stint 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). 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 the 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 which raised his visibility. His 1974 disclosures during a prostitution investigation forced the resignation of City Councilman Jerry Springer (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, the publisher of Hustler Magazine, on obscenity charges. This second case was basis for a 1996 movie, The People vs. Larry Flynt, in which his role was played by political operative James Carville.
