Cleveland Democrat facing Criminal Ethics Charges over connection to BWC Scandal

Accused of accepting gifts including private flights, entertainment & meals

from the Dayton Daily News

Cleveland politician facing criminal charges for allegedly accepting gifts

COLUMBUS — Once billed as the most powerful politician in Cleveland, George L. Forbes is now facing six criminal ethics charges for allegedly taking several thousand dollars worth of freebies from people doing business or seeking deals with the Ohio Bureau of Workers'
Compensation.

Forbes, 76, served almost 10 years on the BWC Oversight Commission but resigned in June 2005, the day after the bureau disclosed it had lost $215 million in a high-risk hedge fund managed by Pittsburgh-based MDL Capital Management. Forbes' daughter, Mimi, was employed by MDL. On Monday, MDL Chief Executive Mark D. Lay pled not guilty in federal court on charges of fraud and aiding and abetting.

Forbes, a Democrat, served 26 years on the Cleveland City Council including 15 years as president and has led the Cleveland chapter of the NAACP since 1992.

Now he is accused in Franklin County Municipal Court of six misdemeanor charges alleging violations of state ethics laws.

The Ohio Ethics

Commission and State Inspector General, which are part of a multi-agency task force investigating the BWC financial scandals, referred Forbes' case to Columbus and Franklin County prosecutors.

One count alleges Forbes took meals, entertainment and other valuable things from American Express/Northwinds marketer Clarke Blizzard between October 1997 and November 2003. Earlier this year, Blizzard plead guilty to a state money laundering charge and a federal charge of conspiracy to bribe a public official.

Another count alleges Forbes accepted private flights from Pat White of Great Lakes Capital Partners between April 2003 and June 2004. White is a former member of the Ohio Police & Fire Pension Board.

Four other counts allege Forbes failed to disclose these gifts and other business
dealings.

Forbes is the 20th person charged as a result of the investigation at the BWC. So far, only two have been acquitted.

Forbes' attorney could not be reached for comment.