COLUMBUS – In an expected move, prosecutors asked the federal court to dismiss the bribery case against former Columbus lobbyist Neil Clark following his March death.
Clark, 67, was found dead of an apparent suicide in a wooded area near his Naples, Florida home on March 15. His death certificate was certified two days later by medical examiner Dr. Manfred Borges.
Clark was one of five arrested in connection with a $61 million bribery scheme to elect former House Speaker Larry Householder to lead the Ohio House, pass a $1 billion nuclear bailout and defend that law against a ballot initiative to block it.
Clark, who was accused of acting as Householder's proxy, pleaded not guilty to the charges. In March, Neil's attorney Will Ireland maintained Clark's innocence, saying Clark's death was a "tragic loss for his friends and family."
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On Tuesday, prosecutors filed a motion to dismiss the racketeering case against Clark.
"As a result of defendant Clark’s death, it is respectfully submitted that this court should dismiss the indictment against Mr. Clark in the instant case," wrote assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Glatfelter, the lead prosecutor on the House Bill 6 case.
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