EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Ohio Supreme Court has appointed three retired judges who will decide whether East Cleveland Mayor Brandon King should be suspended in relation to recent felony charges.
Last month, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O'Malley announced that King was indicted on several corruption charges, including theft in office.
The following judges will decide if King should be suspended from public office:
- Judge Lisa Sadler
- Judge William Finnegan
- Judge William Woods
According to the Supreme Court, they will have to decide on his potential suspension within two weeks.
The state of Ohio is requesting the Ohio Supreme Court suspend King from office as the criminal case unfolds, citing a state law that allows public officials to be removed from office if they are charged with a felony related to official conduct.
3News also reached out to King's attorney, Charles Tyler, who released the following statement:
"Mayor Brandon King maintains his innocence. Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 3:16, he has provided Prosecutor O'Malley a statement as to why he should not be suspended. Mayor King and I respect the process that is outlined in Ohio Revised Code Section 3.16 and will defend his right to continue to do the work that the Citizens of East Cleveland has elected him to do. Mayor King intends to provide the Commission with any information they may request and will appear before the Commission if that becomes necessary. "
A Cuyahoga County grand jury handed down the indictment in October, charging King with unlawfully authorizing city contracts with businesses owned by King and his family members, among other "criminal ethics violations," O'Malley's office said.
King is also accused of improperly providing a city vehicle and thousands of dollars worth of gas cards to former East Cleveland City Councilman Ernest Smith, 49, who was also indicted.
3News' Justin McMullen contributed to this report.