CLEVELAND — Brad Sellers, who has served as the mayor of Warrensville Heights since 2012, is facing charges in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court.
Records show that Sellers has been charged with misdemeanors of petty theft and tampering with records for alleged offenses that happened on July 3, 2018. The 61-year-old Sellers appeared in court for arraignment Wednesday and pleaded not guilty before being issued a $1,500 bond, which was immediately posted.
A spokesperson for the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office tells 3News that Sellers' case is being handled by the Summit County Prosecutor's Office.
In Jan. 2022, Sellers briefly put his hat in the ring to become Cuyahoga County Executive. He abruptly withdrew his candidacy 10 days later amid scrutiny of delinquent taxes that had only recently been paid and a tax abatement deal he received from Warrensville Heights as mayor.
A Warrensville Heights native, Sellers' basketball talents made him a household name and earned him a scholarship to Wisconsin before he eventually transferred to Ohio State. In two years with the Buckeyes, Sellers was an All-Big Ten selection and averaged 17.8 points and 10.8 rebounds per game, leading the team to an NCAA Tournament appearance in 1985 and an NIT championship in '86.
Sellers went on to be a first-round draft pick and played six seasons in the NBA, including three with Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. Following his retirement, he returned home to become Director of Economic Development in Warrensville Heights, and touts creating more than 3,000 jobs during his 11-year tenure.
In 2011, Sellers was elected mayor of his hometown. He would go on to win reelection three times, including in Nov. 2023. During his time in office, he has emphasized attempted improvements in community development, education, and affordable housing.
Sellers' next court date is set for Oct. 2.
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