Former School Board Member Appointed Cuyahoga Clerk of Courts

Former Westlake School Board member Andrea Rocco has been appointed by Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald as the new Cuyahoga County Clerk of Courts.

Rocco was appointed the interim Clerk of Courts on Jan. 2 after longtime Clerk Gerald Fuerst retired in December.

Rocco, an attorney, has worked as the prosecutor and assistant director of law in Westlake since 2002. Previously she worked as an assistant to the Ohio Attorney General's office.

Rocco stepped down from her longtime position as a school board member in January 2012 due to her position as special counsel to Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald.

Rocco has been a board member for more than 10 years after her appointment to a vacant seat in 2001. In 2002 and 2005, she was elected vice president, and served as president in 2008 and 2009.

In July 2011, Rocco made headlines after Nate Cross alleged she assaulted him at a June 30 board meeting. Cross filed a police report several days later that included a cell phone photo of a bruised upper arm.

An independent prosecutor ruled Cross's claim was “unsubstantiated” and insufficient evidence existed to warrant any prosecution, according to Cleveland.com.

The County Executive’s appointments will require confirmation by the Cuyahoga County Council.   

FitzGerald told Cleveland.com that Rocco were appointed following the public posting of the positions and an interview process.