Cincinnati citizens Tuesday passed a pair of anti-corruption measures that will make it easier to remove a council member in the event they are arrested.
With 100% percent of the vote reported, both issues won by a 3-to-1 margin.
The measures, Issue 1 and Issue 2, were put on the ballot by a unanimous vote of Cincinnati City Council, and weren't controversial.
Cincinnati primary election results:Hamilton, Butler, Clermont, Warren counties
They come as four Cincinnati City Council members are accused in separate corruption scandals in the last 14 months, leaving City Hall councilmembers grappling with what to do about it. There was no provision in the Cincinnati Charter that addressed removal in any form, which left outsiders like the attorney general to take action.
“Voters want corruption out of City Hall," said Vice Mayor Christopher Smitherman. "Trust must be restored and this is a step towards that goal."
Added Councilwoman Betsy Sundermann: "The citizens of Cincinnati voted against the culture of corruption at City Hall."
Issue 1
Issue 1, introduced by Smitherman, requires the city to appoint a special prosecutor in cases where there is statewide action to remove a council member from office. This could happen after the council member has been indicted for a felony or a criminal complaint has been filed related to the council member’s official duties. This would prevent a conflict of interest where the city solicitor would essentially have to prosecute his or her boss.
Issue 1 would also prevent a council member – once indicted for a felony or a criminal charge related to official conduct – from changing his or her successor designation certificate. Essentially, each council member currently chooses a colleague or colleagues to select a replacement should the council member be unable to complete his or her term. This amendment would prevent an indicted council member from changing the person who selects that replacement.
Issue 2
Issue 2, introduced by Sundermann, allows Cincinnati City Council to suspend a colleague who has been indicted – but not yet convicted – for a felony that relates to council duties.
The suspension requires seven votes (the council member who is indicted would not get a vote). The suspension would be paid, but if the council member were ultimately convicted, the city could take back any money paid during the suspension.
If a council member pleads guilty or is convicted of a felony that relates to council duties, the council member would automatically forfeit his or her position on council.
Issue 2 also requires new council members to complete ethics training within 60 days of taking office and, as with Issue 1, would prevent a council member who is indicted for a felony related to his or her official duties from changing his or her successor designation certificate.
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