East Cleveland Mayor Brandon King indicted on corruption charges
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Opponents of East Cleveland Mayor Brandon King are welcoming his recent corruption charges after years of raising alarm bells about his activities in office.
Why it matters: It's the latest issue in the inner-ring Black suburb of 14,000 mired in scandal, financial distress and political infighting for decades.
The latest: Prosecutors allege King directed about $80,000 in city money to companies that he or his family members owned.
- He is also accused of giving a city-owned car and $7,000 in gas money to Council Member Ernest Smith.
Zoom in: Per the indictment, City Council passed legislation barring King from making rental payments to a building owned by his family, but King vetoed the legislation and made the payments anyway.
What they're saying: "It's unfortunate," King told Signal Cleveland, "because now East Cleveland just stays in the news about something that's been settled."
- King said the charges emerged after "someone in City Hall" sent material to investigators.
- Axios left a message with King's office in East Cleveland.
The other side: In an email to constituents obtained by Axios, Clerk of Council (and former East Cleveland Mayor) Eric Brewer said it was "no mystery" that he, Council President Twon Billings, Vice President Patricia Blochowiak and Ward 3 Council Member Lateek Shabazz had "worked assiduously to expose Mayor King's theft to the appropriate authorities."
- "East Cleveland deserves better," Billings told Cleveland.com. "He robbed the city, and he stripped it."
Flashback: King narrowly survived a recall attempt in 2022. In a second attempt last year, only 30% of residents voted for his removal.
What's next: King's arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 25. Prosecutor Mike O'Malley said in a press release that the state of Ohio will attempt to have King suspended during the case.
- If he is removed from office, Billings would become mayor, per the city charter.
- Billings previously ran against King in 2021.