County commissioner pleads guilty to kickbacks

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(The Center Square) – A Scioto County commissioner has pleaded guilty to taking kickbacks for securing a construction contract at a local business park, Ohio state Auditor Keith Faber announced this week.

Commissioner Bryan Davis pleaded guilty to charges of theft in office, receiving stolen property and filing an incomplete tax return, Faber said.

Charges remain pending against Robert Horton, who headed the Southern Ohio Port Authority and the Scioto County Economic Development Department, and his wife in Scioto County Common Pleas Court, according to Faber.

“The indictments allege Horton received kickbacks for securing a public contract for construction at the SOAR Business Park, and Davis used his position as county commissioner to secure the contract and public funding involved, among other alleged crimes,” Faber said.

Davis’ wife, Linda Davis, pleaded guilty to a single felony count of tampering with evidence, according to a release.

Davis “used his position as county commissioner to secure the contract and public funding involved, among other alleged crimes,” Faber said.

As part of a plea deal, Davis will pay about $67,000 in restitution, according to Faber.

“Prosecutors have recommended a prison term as part of his final sentence,” Faber’s release said.

Davis was suspended as a Scioto County commissioner while his criminal case was pending.

“With his conviction, he will be removed from office and barred from holding public offices or positions in the future,” Faber said. “The people involved in this case used their positions to line their own pockets and then tried to hide their crimes. Today’s pleas are a first step toward justice for the people of Scioto County and a warning for anyone else thinking about abusing the public trust.”

Scioto County, population of 74,000, is in south central Ohio. The county seat is Portsmouth.