East Cleveland Mayor King suspended, what happens now?

EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Several East Cleveland city council members held news conferences Wednesday after East Cleveland Mayor Brandon King was suspended Tuesday by a special commission of three retired judges appointed by the Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court.

The three retired judges voted 2-1 on King’s suspension.

“Mr. King’s conduct as covered by the charges, adversely affects the functioning of the office or adversely affects the rights and interests of the public, and as a result, Mr. King should be suspended from office,” court documents said.

On Wednesday evening, Councilmembers Twon Billings and Patricia Blochowiak called for an emergency council meeting to demand King return his city vehicle and building keys and remove his name from city bank accounts and websites.

Not enough council members were present to move forward with it.

In October 2024, King was indicted on:

• Two counts of theft in office
• Four counts of having unlawful interest in a public contract
• Four counts of representation by public official or employee
• Filing a false disclosure statement
• Soliciting improper compensation

King had a pre-trial in Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Tuesday and he is scheduled to return to court on April 2.

According to a statement from East Cleveland, the next in line to be mayor is City Council President Lateek Shabazz.

Shabazz held a news conference at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday.

“I want you to know that East Cleveland is still safe. There is nothing going wrong just because this Mayor has been indicted and removed,” says Shabazz.

By law, Judge Anthony Russo, the Presiding Judge of Cuyahoga County Probate Court, is in charge of appointing the interim mayor.

“The public should be running this City. Not no politicians who are keeping everything a secret,” says Shabazz.

Judge Russo is currently accepting applications by mail or e-mail.

You can mail your statement of interest, a resume, and three references to:

Presiding Judge Anthony J. Russo, Cuyahoga County Probate Court, Room 221, 1 Lakeside Avenue West, Cleveland OH 44113.

You can also email the information to Sue Schwarten, Administrative Assistant to Presiding Judge Anthony J. Russo, at sschwarten@cuyahogacounty.gov

“It speaks volumes about the corruption of the City of East Cleveland that the court has to put together an application process of anyone who wants to be the Mayor of the City,” says Twon Billings, Former City Council President

At 1 p.m., East Cleveland Councilman at Large Twon Billings will held a news conference, demanding King immediately return all city property in his possession, including, city vehicles, keys, and key fobs.

“This would be a great opportunity for East Cleveland residents, but East Cleveland residents have to learn how to start voting,” says Billings.

Council members also want to deny King access to all city buildings, businesses, and properties.

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