Article

2020-07-02 -Lurid Crime Tales-

4 Toledo City Council members arrested amid 'pay-to-play' bribery probe

In the first paragraph even!
[WTOL11] Democrats Larry Sykes, Yvonne Harper, Tyrone Riley and Gary Johnson were named in a complaint Tuesday. Attorney Keith Mitchell is accused of funneling bribes.

Four Toledo City Council members and one local attorney are accused of participating in a bribery and extortion scheme that encouraged soliciting and/or accepting cash, checks, money orders or other things of value from local business owners in exchange for their votes on city council.

The scheme was revealed in a criminal complaint filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court. Named in the filing are Democratic council members Larry Sykes (At-Large), Yvonne Harper (District 4), Gary Johnson (At-Large) and Tyrone Riley (District 1).

The federal charges of bribery and extortion carry maximum penalties of 10 years and 20 years in prison, respectively, according to US Attorney Justin Herdman.

The filing in the U.S. Northern District Court describes the alleged offense of "receipt of Bribe by Agent of Organization Receiving Federal Funds" and "Hobbs Act Extortion under Color of Official Right."

According to the affidavit, the FBI started to investigate Toledo City Council in 2018 for soliciting or accepting cash, checks, money orders or other things of value.