East Cleveland Mayor Brandon King is facing a suspension from his mayoral duties after a Special Commission comprised of three retired judges, appointed by the Ohio Supreme Court, voted 2-1 in favor of his removal amid a 12-count indictment on corruption charges, News 5 Cleveland reported. These charges include theft in office, having an unlawful interest in a public contract, filing a false disclosure statement, and soliciting improper compensation, all of which King has pleaded not guilty to.
While he retains his title and pay, King cannot exercise any of the responsibilities of the mayoral office during his suspension. According to East Cleveland's city charter, this has led to City Council President Lateek Shabazz stepping up as acting mayor, a decision that the city council appears to have based on viewing the situation as a "long-term absence," despite the posts for finance director, law director, and public service director all being currently vacant with various interim arrangements, as reported by WKYC.
Amid the unfolding turbulence, King's attorney has stated his client would appeal if suspended, and an opportunity to appeal the Commission's ruling to the Ohio Supreme Court exists. King is still officially the mayor during his suspension but will be barred from performing the duties of the job, a contentious issue given his long-standing clashes with the council members, as detailed by WKYC.
Following the suspension, East Cleveland city council members have taken immediate steps to distance King from the mayoral office. This included an emergency meeting to discuss the removal of King's name from all financial accounts and to deny him access to city properties, according to a Cleveland19 report. Furthermore, the Councilman at Large Twon Billings calls on King to immediately return all city property, including city vehicles, keys, and key fobs.
As the legal proceedings continue, Shabazz held a press conference to address the transition of power. With East Cleveland's next regular mayoral election not until this November, the interim period under Shabazz’s leadership could signal substantial changes ahead for the city's political landscape, emphasizing the gravity of these events and the significance of governance in maintaining the public's trust.
