Tensions ran high at Thursday’s Scioto County Commissioners meeting as Commissioner Bryan Davis fiercely defended his wife’s involvement in an LLC tied to the corruption scandal that brought down former Scioto County Economic Development Director Robert Horton.
Davis pushed back against accusations that the company his wife, Lori Davis, formed with Horton’s wife, Lioubov Horton, was a “shell company” used for fraudulent activity.
“Perception isn’t always facts,” Davis said, rejecting claims that the LLC—O’Steel Ohio, LLC—was part of a money-laundering scheme. “You’re entitled to your opinion, but that’s not the facts.”
A Heated Exchange
Local activist Katie Cochran confronted Davis at the meeting, pointing out that both of Lori Davis’s former business partners—Robert and Lioubov Horton—have now been indicted on corruption charges, including telecommunications fraud and tampering with evidence.
“Do you still believe that partnership was appropriate?” Cochran asked.
Davis remained firm, arguing that the LLC “never actually conducted any business” and therefore didn’t meet the definition of a shell company.
Cochran pushed back, saying, “That’s the definition of a shell company.”
Davis shot back: “Well, no it’s not. That’s your definition.”
As the exchange escalated, Cochran pointed out that the State Auditor and a grand jury had identified the LLC as part of a scheme to funnel money through the Southern Ohio Port Authority (SOPA).
Davis disagreed. “Actually, no it’s not,” he responded. “You need to read the indictment better. I’m not going to sit here and argue with you.”
Read the Full Horton Indictment HERE
The Scandal at a Glance
The controversy dates back to October 2022, when Lori Davis and Lioubov Horton registered O’Steel Ohio, LLC, to represent a company doing business with Scioto County. When concerns arose about a conflict of interest, Lori Davis withdrew from the LLC.
But by August 2023, a search warrant was executed at SOPA, uncovering what prosecutors allege was a scheme to launder bribe money. In recent indictments, Robert and Lioubov Horton were accused of orchestrating the scam, while Davis insists his wife had no involvement in wrongdoing.
A Political Firestorm
The scandal has rocked Scioto County politics, with Commissioner Cathy Coleman admitting she had concerns from the start but never suspected outright corruption. Davis, meanwhile, continues to insist his wife’s business dealings were appropriate.
“It was a company that never got started,” Davis said Thursday. “I’ll leave it at that.”
With felony charges mounting against the Hortons and county officials under scrutiny, one thing is clear—the political fallout is far from over.
