EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio — East Cleveland City Council President Twon Billings is lodging new allegations against Mayor Brandon King. He is arguing that the mayor purchased a dump truck and trailer without the approval of City Council.
3News reached out to King multiple times for a response, but did not hear back.
The conflict comes amid recent anger that the city has not put forth money for a new fire engine.
“They leaking, the ladder truck is not working, so you know, the firefighters' lives is in jeopardy, the residents' lives is in jeopardy, and we can’t understand how is it the mayor keep finding ways to buy things without coming to council and you know not purchasing this fire truck,” said Billings.
Billings held a press conference Wednesday morning to voice his concerns and said he has repeatedly asked King for information on city purchases, but hasn't gotten answers.
In April of this year, Billings confronted King at an East Cleveland City Council meeting after learning money for a new fire engine, agreed upon in a 2022 resolution, was gone.
Billings, alongside the firefighters union, accused the mayor of misappropriating city funds. However, the mayor argued the money was never specifically earmarked for the fire engine and the city needed to get a loan for the new equipment.
Tuesday, Billings emphasized the ongoing need for the engine.
"Remember, it was said that we don’t have no money," said Billings. "So if we don’t have no money, how is it these vehicles are being purchased without our knowledge?”
3News asked King whether he did purchase the truck and trailer, and if so, how much the truck cost, when it was purchased, and whether the purchase was approved by city council. King did not respond to the requests for comment.
3News also reached out to East Cleveland Law Director Willa Hemmons for information about the purchase.
Hemmons said she didn't know the backstory behind the vehicle, but she said the mayor is allowed to make certain purchases without the council's approval.
She sent 3News multiple documents of resolutions approving the purchase of other city vehicles, but the dump truck did not appear to be included in the documents.
Billings said he is going to continue to investigate the matter, and he is considering filing a civil lawsuit.