Ex-Ohio leader tied to prostitution ring

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Jan. 15 (UPI) -- Robert Eric McFadden, the former head of the Ohio Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, has been arrested on prostitution charges, police say.

A police spokesman said McFadden, who served under Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland's administration, was arrested this week outside of Columbus and charged with seven felonies, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer said Thursday.

Columbus Police spokesman Sgt. Richard Weiner said among the charges against McFadden, 46, are promoting prostitution and pandering obscenities involving a minor.

McFadden held the Community Initiatives position for nine months before being demoted to Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction administrative assistant.

Police suspect McFadden, who was arrested Wednesday, may be involved with an alleged prostitution ring operated through the online networking Web site, Craigslist.

An Ohio State University academic adviser and a Franklin County Children Services sex-abuse caseworker have already been arrested in relation to the alleged prostitution ring, the Plain Dealer reported.