Decision on East Cleveland mayor’s ouster could come soon

EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio — A decision on the future of East Cleveland Mayor Brandon King could be days away. King, who faces a 12-count indictment on corruption charges, also faces possible suspension while his criminal case continues in court.

The mayor is accused of using his office to divert more than $76,000 of city money to businesses owned by King or his family.

The mayor has denied the accusations, but it is now up to a panel of three retired judges to decide whether King should be suspended.

Court records show that a panel was convened on Nov. 4 to consider whether King could remain in office pending the outcome of his criminal case.

The three-judge committee had two weeks to make a preliminary ruling on whether King should be suspended, according to the state supreme court.

This was supposed to happen by last week.

If he disagrees with the decision, King has two weeks to appeal the decision.

Then, within 14 days, the commission would hold a meeting that would allow King to present his side of the story.

All this would happen behind closed doors.

After this meeting, the final decision of the commission must be made.

The entire process should be completed by mid-December and come into force immediately.

After a hearing earlier this month, King’s attorney said the mayor maintains his innocence and that if the commission suspends King, he will appeal the decision to the Ohio Supreme Court in a bid to remain in office.

As mayor, King survived two recall attempts.

His lawyer described the lawsuit against his client as a continuation of his rivals’ political attacks on King.

“There are people in East Cleveland who are calling for the removal of the popularly elected mayor, who should be electing their own representatives, so we’re going to continue to fight very hard for the mayor and defend him against all of these political attacks,” Attorney Charles Tyler said.

East Cleveland’s city charter lays out two different scenarios for filling a mayoral vacancy.

If the mayor is “temporarily unable” to perform his duties, the chief financial officer will take over.

The charter also states that in the event of a “prolonged absence” of the mayor, the president of the city council will assume the role of president of the city.