King was indicted in October 2024 on several charges.
CLEVELAND — The trial for suspended East Cleveland Mayor Brandon King and former City Councilman Ernest Smith began today.
In October 2024, King faced multiple charges for allegedly approving city contracts with companies owned by himself and his family, as well as other “criminal ethics violations.”
Furthermore, King is alleged to have inappropriately given a city vehicle and numerous gas cards worth thousands of dollars to Smith, who was indicted at the same time.
As the trial was getting underway, the judge said there would be no live streaming permitted.
CASE DETAILS
Having held the position of mayor of East Cleveland since 2016, King is accused of leveraging his authority to direct city contracts towards businesses owned by himself and his relatives.
A Cuyahoga County grand jury indicted King in October 2024 on the following charges:
- Theft in office (two counts)
- Having an unlawful interest in a public contract (four counts)
- Restrictions on present or former public officials or employees (four counts)
- Financial disclosure statement filed with ethics commission
- Soliciting or receiving improper compensation
Watch below: 3News’ Candice Hare discusses details of the case
From 2019 to 2024, King allegedly authorized a public contract that leased office space on Euclid Avenue to the City of East Cleveland’s Domestic Violence Department, a deal worth $14,184.21 annually.
King is also accused of directing the city to purchase more than $5,800 worth of cleaning supplies from American Merchandising Services, another business tied to him and his family.
“Mayor Brandon King demonstrated a complete disregard and disdain for the rule of law,” Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley previously said. “The citizens of East Cleveland deserve better. The investigation continues.”
On Nov. 8, 2024, King was arraigned before Judge Hollie Gallagher, where he entered a not guilty plea to all charges. His bond was set at $5,000, which King posted on the same day.
The charges involving Smith date back to his time as councilman for Ward 3.
According to O’Malley, King improperly provided Smith a city vehicle from Jan. 1, 2018, to March 31, 2022. King also allegedly gave Smith two gas cards, which Smith used to buy $6,791 worth of gas on the city’s dime.
On Oct. 10, 2024, Smith was indicted on the following charges:
- Theft in office
- Theft (two counts)
- Soliciting improper compensation
- Misuse of credit cards
Previously, in January, a panel of three judges voted to suspend King from office.
The panel of retired jurists, appointed by the Supreme Court of Ohio, voted 2-1 to remove King from his duties. The commission “determined that Mr. King’s conduct as covered by the charges, adversely affects the functioning of the office or adversely affects the rights and interests of the public.”
