Four members of the Toledo City Council were arrested this week, accused of accepting bribes and extortion. The arrests follow similar events in Los Angeles earlier this month.
"The FBI has taken into custody multiple Toledo city council members accused of taking cash in exchange for votes during what is described in court records as a years-long, sweeping bribery scandal involving some of the city’s highest elected officials," reports Allison Dunn.
"City council members Tyrone Riley, Yvonne Harper, Larry Sykes, and Gary Johnson are all accused of accepting bribe payments for official acts and extortion, according to criminal complaints filed in federal court Tuesday," adds Dunn.
There is a development angle to the charges, which won't come as a surprise to many Planetizen readers.
"The criminal cases appear to have started on March 5, 2018, when a federal law enforcement agent interviewed an unnamed source who owns several commercial properties, primarily gas stations and convenience stores, within the city. That person reported previously providing things of value to Mr. Riley in exchange for his vote on matters before council," reports Dunn.
The news came exactly a week after Los Angeles Councilmember Jose Huizar was arrested and accused of orchestrating a a pay-to-play scheme involving high-profile real estate projects in the councilmember's downtown district.
Read the full story: Federal agents take Toledo city council members into custody amid bribery probe
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