Nicholas Graham, Bribery Conspiracy, Ohio 2019

State: Ohio
Category: Public Corruption
Source: <a href="https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/former-ohio-municipal-prosecutor-and-former-criminal-defendant-charged-bribery-conspiracy" style="color:#cc0000;" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">DOJ Press Release ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Â Ã¢â‚¬â€

Graham’s Scheme Exposed

A shocking case of bribery has been uncovered in Ohio, involving none other than a former municipal prosecutor. Nicholas Graham, a 52-year-old from Warren, has been charged with bribery conspiracy, along with Brian Votino, 52, of Niles.

According to the indictment, Graham and Votino hatched a plan in October 2019, where Graham would take official action to benefit Votino in his pending criminal cases in exchange for auto repair work. The indictment alleges that Graham instructed Votino to falsify a bill for the repair services and not to inform Votino’s criminal defense lawyer.

The scheme was carried out, with Graham taking action to reduce the charges against Votino and advocating for a lenient sentence. The indictment charges Graham and Votino with one count of conspiracy, one count of honest services wire fraud, and one count of Hobbs Act extortion.

If convicted of all counts, they each face a maximum penalty of 45 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The case was investigated by the FBI Cleveland Field Office, with Trial Attorney Blake J. Ellison of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliot Morrison for the Northern District of Ohio prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Mandatory Facts: Defendant Nicholas Graham, exact criminal charges of conspiracy, honest services wire fraud, and Hobbs Act extortion, City and state of Warren, Ohio, exact date of October 2019, sentence or outcome of potential 45 years in prison if convicted.

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