Brandon King isn’t done quite yet. A panel of retired judges has removed him as mayor of East Cleveland while he faces public corruption charges. But King’s attorney, Charles Tyler, told Signal Cleveland this week that he plans to appeal the decision to the Ohio Supreme Court.
Cuyahoga County prosecutors accuse King of crossing the line in mixing his family’s business interests with city work. (More on that here.) Prosecutor Michael O’Malley sought his removal from office while the case plays out. In a letter last October, King wrote that suspending him would “overthrow the will of the people” who elected him.
In the meantime, who’s in charge at East Cleveland City Hall? In an interview with the Fox8 I-Team, Law Director Willa Hemmons said that she is. Council President Lateek Shabazz said at a news conference this week that he ought to ascend to the job.
East Cleveland’s charter places the law director in the line of succession when the mayor is temporarily absent. The council president becomes mayor in cases of removal or a long-term absence.
In any event, state law gives Cuyahoga County Probate Court Judge Anthony J. Russo the responsibility of naming an acting mayor while King is suspended. The court is accepting applications until Feb. 14.
Whoever ends up in charge will have the job of getting the small suburb’s finances in order. East Cleveland has been in fiscal emergency since 2012. Earlier this month, a state panel rejected the city’s latest fiscal recovery plan.
National posts for Cleveland City Council members
Two council members will have voices in one of the national groups that lobbies the federal government on behalf of cities.
Ward 16 Council Member Brian Kazy is the new chair of the National League of Cities’ public safety and crime prevention committee. Council President Blaine Griffin was named to another term as chair of the finance, administration and intergovernmental affairs committee.
The positions will give these two Democrats some say in defining what cities want — and don’t want — from the new Trump administration and congressional allies.
Griffin indicated at last Monday’s council meeting that he’s watching the White House with wariness. He brought up Trump’s push to end birthright citizenship and read a summary of the 14th Amendment.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the gravity of what is happening right now is something that many of us have never seen in our lifetime,” Griffin said. “And I hope that we take it serious. I hope that we all bind together as a community.”
Next week: Browns budget watch
Gov. Mike DeWine is expected to uncork his two-year budget proposal on Monday. One of the questions hanging over the big reveal is this: Will the governor top off the Haslam Sports Group’s glass?
The owners of the Cleveland Browns say they need $1.2 billion from the public to build a $2.4 billion roofed stadium in Brook Park. Whether taxpayers would foot that billion-dollar bill — and how — remains to be seen.
