Shocking new details emerged in the Scioto County corruption case as Commissioner Cathy Coleman spills the tea on what she knew and when she knew it at Thursday’s meeting and explained why she made some controversial decisions.
The Scandal at a Glance
- Key Players: Scioto County Economic Development Director Robert Horton, Commissioner Bryan Davis, their wives, and Commissioner Cathy Coleman.
- The Accusations: Horton allegedly demanded bribes and funneled money through a shady LLC linked to his wife.
- Coleman’s Defense: Claims she had concerns from the start but never suspected Horton of illegal activity.
TIMELINE OF THE DRAMA
October 2022 – Commissioner Bryan Davis’s wife and Robert Horton’s wife form an LLC to represent O’Steel Building Systems, a company doing business with Scioto County.
February 2023 – Coleman hears whispers of a potential conflict at a Republican Central Committee meeting but wasn’t present. She gets real-time updates via text.
The Next Morning – Coleman confronts Davis about the LLC. Davis insists everything is legal and above board and that his wife had run the decision by an attorney. The county prosecutor’s office steps in, forcing Davis to abstain from key votes.
Days Later – After pressure from Coleman, Davis’s wife withdraws from the LLC. The prosecutor’s office lifts the abstention. Crisis averted… or so they thought!
August 2023 – BOOM! A search warrant is executed at the Southern Ohio Port Authority (SOPA) while Davis is on vacation. Commissioner Scottie Powell insists Horton should be placed on paid administrative leave—Coleman reluctantly agrees.
The Aftermath – The leave causes chaos! Horton, still in charge of SOPA, can’t access his office or crucial documents. Legal complications mount, leading Coleman to regret the hasty decision.
The Big Twist! – Amid mounting pressure, Coleman and Davis vote to reinstate Horton to avoid jeopardizing a major county project. She insists she acted in the county’s best interest, NOT as Davis’s “yes-woman.”
Indictments Drop! – Shocking allegations reveal Horton may have used the LLC to launder bribe money. Coleman is left “flabbergasted” by the charges.
Coleman’s Final Words
“I never thought Mr. Horton was involved in anything illegal. The indictments are so grave that I was just flabbergasted.”
“The doubters are going to doubt, the gossipers are going to gossip.”
And now, with Horton officially terminated as Economic Development Director, the scandal continues to rock Scioto County!
