Legal Affairs
The Legal Affairs Office is led by Director Anthony Nici who is a licensed attorney and is responsible for advising the sheriff, chief deputy and division majors of employment, criminal and civil legal issues to mitigate liability which the office could face. Director Nici works in collaboration with the Lorain County Prosecutor’s Office which is responsible for defending the office from litigation and initiating prosecution of criminal and civil process. Director Nici also oversees the Records Division and the Corrections Inspector General.
Tony Nici
Director of Legal Affairs
Corrections Inspector General
To promote transparency and accountability within the Lorain County Jail, Sheriff Hall established the position of Corrections Inspector General (CIG)—an independent oversight authority tasked with investigating serious incidents involving the jail. The CIG is responsible for examining allegations of excessive force, the introduction of contraband, and criminal acts committed in the facility.
Reporting directly to the Chief Legal Officer of the Sheriff’s Office, the CIG operates with independent authority to conduct thorough, impartial investigations. Based on the findings, the CIG may issue formal recommendations to both the Chief Legal Counsel and the Sheriff.
Inspector Ryan Kolegar is the first person appointed as a Corrections Inspector General in the State of Ohio. He began his career in the private sector working for private security firms before joining the American Greetings Corporate Security Team, where he focused on employee safety and countering corporate espionage.
He is certified through the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy (OPOTA) as a Peace Officer, Corrections Officer, and Corrections Supervisor. Over his career Kolegar has held numerous positions including Auxiliary Patrolman, Juvenile Corrections Officer, Corrections Officer, Corrections Sergeant, and Deputy Sheriff.
Kolegar earned an Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice from Eastern Gateway Community College and is currently pursuing his bachelor’s degree. A lifelong resident of Northeastern Ohio, he enjoys spending time with his family exploring the state’s many outdoor attractions.
