Ex-commissioner indicted [OH]

Morning Journal ^ | 11/23/2005 | ALEX M. PARKER

[ncountylee]

ELYRIA -- Former Lorain County commissioner and attorney Michael Ross was arrested yesterday for charges of bribery and corruption while he was in office, as well as allegations he defrauded legal clients.

Ross, who now lives in Marietta, Ga., turned himself in to the Lorain County Sheriff's Office after being served yesterday with a Nov. 10 indictment for two counts of theft, seven counts of unlawful interest in a public contract and bribery.

Along with the current indictments, Ross was indicted in April 2004 for non-support of dependent. He was not served with that indictment until yesterday, because he has been living in Georgia, according to Lorain County Prosecutor Dennis Will.

Will was tight-lipped about the corruption and bribery charges, claiming that an investigation is under way.

He did say, however, that the bribery and unlawful interest charges relate to Ross' work as a Lorain County commissioner.

''There was an improper relationship there,'' was all that Will would say.

The charges allege that on Nov. 4, Nov. 23 and Dec. 28, 1999, and March 2, June 1, Nov. 30 and Dec. 21, 2000, Ross ''did knowingly authorize, or employ the authority of influence of his office to secure authorization of any public contract in which he, a member of his family, or any business associates had an interest.''

[FarmerW]

Lorain County is a stronghold of Democrat politics. The prosecutor's office was the only republican held office in the county for years. Recently, I think a republican was elected to the three person Lorain County Commissioners.

Sherod Brown is so strong here, he donates some of his campaign contributions to other candidates because he doesn't need them.