CLEVELAND — Brad Sellers, who has served as the mayor of Warrensville Heights since 2012, pleaded guilty Wednesday to misdemeanor charges of petty theft and tampering with records.
The 61-year-old Sellers was sentenced to a year of probation by Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judge Kelly Ann Gallagher. He must also pay court costs and supervision fees.
Sellers' case was handled by Ben Carro of the Summit County Prosecutor's Office.
Records show that Sellers was charged for alleged tax abatement offenses that happened between July 3-18, 2018. A Cuyahoga County grand jury handed down an indictment for the two misdemeanor charges on Aug. 27 and he pled not guilty at his arraignment on Sept. 18, posting a $1,500 bond.
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.
