NEWBURGH HEIGHTS, Ohio — After a decade in office, Trevor Elkins' term as mayor of Newburgh Heights is about to end in a cloud of scandal.
Following what are being called "protracted negotiations," the Franklin County Prosecutor's Office says Elkins has agreed to plead guilty to multiple misdemeanor charges related to an investigation into his campaign finances. The change of plea is expected to happen during an April 14 court date in Cleveland.
Under the terms of the deal, Elkins will avoid any jail time over a five-year probationary period. In exchange, he will resign as mayor, pay a $750 fine, close his campaign account, and not run for any political office in Cuyahoga County for the 2024-28 term.
The probe into Elkins' activities first became public last April, stemming from allegations he had funneled roughly $134,000 from his campaign coffers over a period beginning in 2017. The Ohio Elections Commission referred the matter to authorities, but Elkins countered by claiming he had always repaid his campaign for any missing funds and was not aware it was illegal to use that money for personal use.
Nevertheless, a grand jury indicted Elkins last week on two counts of attempted election falsification and one count of attempted theft in office. Arraignment followed this past Wednesday in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, and the mayor subsequently told 3News he would provide "a full and transparent statement on this issue" at a later date. A release from Franklin County on Thursday did not include any remarks from the mayor.
Elkins could still receive a suspended jail sentence as long as 18 months, but would only end up behind bars if he violates probation. Judge Joan Syneberg has been assigned to the case, and she will have final approval over the deal.
Under Ohio law, Newburgh Heights Village Council President Pro Tempore Gigi Traore is slated to become acting mayor "until a successor is elected and qualified." Elkins' term was not slated to expire until January of 2024.
