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   From: Davecross@kremlin.ru   
      
   The FBI on Tuesday arrested a local attorney and four members of   
   the city council in Toledo, Ohio, for their alleged   
   participation in a bribery and extortion scheme.   
      
   Tyrone Riley, Yvonne Harper, Garrick “Gary” Johnson, Larry Sykes   
   and Keith Mitchell were charged with bribery and extortion in a   
   federal criminal complaint after a two-year investigation,   
   according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).   
      
   “As alleged in the Complaint, four Toledo City Council members   
   and a local attorney have been engaged in a pay-to-play scheme   
   involving bribes for Council votes,” U.S. Attorney Justin   
   Herdman said in a statement to Fox News Wednesday. “Maintaining   
   the public’s trust in its elected officials is one of the   
   Department of Justice’s core responsibilities."   
      
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   The FBI started its investigation into the Toledo City Council   
   members in 2018 for allegedly soliciting or accepting money or   
   other things of value from local businesses in exchange for   
   their votes.   
      
   Harper reportedly solicited nearly $16,000, the largest sum out   
   of the council members. She also faces charges of unlawful   
   interstate communications with the intent to extort.   
      
   The bribes were allegedly paid through Mitchell, the attorney   
   who reportedly oversaw the distribution of funds.   
      
   One event investigated by the FBI was the payment submitted to   
   four members of the city council by a local business owner   
   seeking a Special Use Permit for an Internet cafe. The request   
   passed the city council with unanimous consent, the DOJ said.   
      
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   “The residents of Toledo should know, as should every other   
   resident of the Northern District of Ohio, that where there are   
   allegations of public corruption and kickbacks, we and our   
   federal partners will be there every time,” Herdman said.   
      
   In a press conference, Herdman said the charges for bribery   
   carry a 10-year maximum charge and that extortion carries   
   another 20-year maximum sentence. Both charges also carry a   
   $250,000 fine.   
      
      
   The FBI said it utilized confidential informants, recorded phone   
   calls and text messages, along with analysis of financial,   
   business and government records during its investigation.   
      
   The council members were all released on a $50,000 bond.   
      
   CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP   
      
   City Council President Matt Cherry and Toledo Mayor Wade   
   Kapszukiewicz have called for the council member's resignations.   
      
   According to a DOJ spokesperson, a confidential source   
   approached the FBI with information relating to the bribery   
   scheme members of the City Council were allegedly participating   
   in. The source was a former business owner with knowledge of the   
   bribery and extortion, the spokesperson told Fox News Wednesday.   
      
   "Elected officials are elected by the people, to serve the   
   people, not to serve their own financial self-interest,” said   
   FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric B. Smith.  “The FBI will   
   continue efforts to root out public corruption so citizens can   
   have faith and trust in their public officials.”   
      
   https://www.foxnews.com/us/one-third-toledo-city-council-   
   arrested-bribery-extortion-charges   
        
      
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