After nearly two years of court hearings, delays, and speculation, Scioto County Commissioner Bryan Davis pleaded guilty Monday to three felony charges stemming from Ohio’s public corruption investigation into Scioto County government.
Davis entered guilty pleas in Scioto County Common Pleas Court to:
- Count 3: Theft in Office
- Count 8: Receiving Stolen Property
- Count 13: Filing an Incomplete, False, or Fraudulent Tax Return
The plea brings a dramatic turn in one of the county’s highest-profile public corruption cases, which has cast a shadow over Scioto County’s economic development efforts since the indictments were announced.
Maximum Penalties
Under the plea, Davis faces the following maximum penalties:
- Theft in Office (F-3): Up to 36 months in prison and a $10,000 fine
- Receiving Stolen Property (F-4): Up to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine
- Filing a False or Fraudulent Tax Return (F-5): Up to 12 months in prison and a $2,500 fine
The court also advised Davis that he could be placed on up to two years of post-release control (probation) following any prison sentence.
None of the prison terms are mandatory, and none carry a presumption that prison is required.
Lori Davis Also Pleads Guilty
Bryan Davis’s wife, Lori Davis, also entered a guilty plea Monday.
She pleaded guilty to:
- Count 6: Tampering with Evidence
That third-degree felony carries a maximum sentence of 36 months in prison, along with up to two years of post-release control following any prison sentence.
A Case That Changed County Government
The guilty pleas mark a major milestone in a case that reshaped Scioto County government.
Bryan Davis was placed on paid administrative leave as county commissioner following his indictment. His seat has since been filled by Commissioner Will Mault, who was appointed to serve during Davis’s absence and later won election to the position.
The corruption investigation also led to the indictment of former Scioto County Economic Development Director and Southern Ohio Port Authority head Robert Horton and his wife. Their criminal case remains pending and has not yet been scheduled for trial.
In the wake of the scandal, county leaders reorganized economic development under the nonprofit Scioto County Development Corporation, hired a new economic development director, and have spent the past year attempting to rebuild public confidence while pursuing major projects, including Google’s proposed Franklin Furnace data center.
Sentencing for Bryan and Lori Davis will be scheduled by the court. SCDN will continue to follow the case as additional details become available.
