COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 13 (UPI) -- An Ohio state legislator was caught by an FBI sting that involved a fake business that paid for trips to Florida and California, investigators said Tuesday.
Rep. W. Carlton Weddington, a Democrat from Columbus, resigned his seat in the state House after the charges were announced, The Columbus Dispatch reported. He surrendered to the FBI and was booked on state charges of bribery, election falsification and filing a false financial disclosure form.
Edward Hanko, special agent in charge of the FBI's Cincinnati office, said Weddington became a target after a 2010 Dispatch story that reported he demanded $2,500 for the Black Caucus in the Legislature from the Center for Responsible Lending. The newspaper said he told the group, which advises consumers on predatory finance, the caucus would not discuss payday lending with it without the payment.
Hanko said Weddington agreed to introduce a bill after a fake business entity paid for trips to Miami and Napa Valley, made contributions to his campaign fund and gave him money. The FBI worked with local law enforcement.
Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien said he is trying to negotiate a plea with Weddington's lawyer that will include time behind bars. Weddington could be sentenced to 4 1/2 years if convicted at trial.
