What’s happening with Commissioner Bryan Davis? That was the question on the minds of more than one citizen at Thursday’s Scioto County Commissioners meeting.
The answer: commissioners don’t know any more than the public.
“We’re on Two Different Paths”
Commissioner Scottie Powell was direct when asked about Davis, who is on voluntary paid leave after being indicted on a laundry list of corruption charges.
“I don’t have any updates,” Powell said. “There was an arraignment. At this point, that’s going through the court process. Our focus is moving the county forward, so we’re on two different paths at this point. Is it still impacting us a little? You can see the seat is still empty. We haven’t seen any paperwork filed yet from the three-judge panel. Once they finalize the suspension, the Republican Party has 45 days to appoint another commissioner to take Davis’ place. In terms of how this board is impacted, that’s really the last hurdle this board will be concerned with. Mr. Davis’ legal issues are for the prosecutor and the court system to figure out. That is not my focus.”
Trusting the Process
Commissioner Merit Smith echoed Powell’s comments, saying it’s now in the court’s hands.
“It’s no longer our issue as far as what happens,” Smith said. “We need to allow the system to work itself through. We may not agree with how it works or the speed, but the legal system in this country is the best in the world and we have to trust it to get us to the end.”
Background: The Davis Case
Davis and his wife Lori were indicted last month as alleged co-conspirators with former Economic Development Director Robert Horton in a corruption scheme that prosecutors say siphoned public funds into private pockets.
- Bryan Davis’s charges: engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, two counts of theft in office, aggravated theft, and money laundering.
- Lori Davis’s charges: money laundering, tampering with evidence, and receiving stolen property.
Both have pleaded not guilty. Bryan Davis is currently free on a $50,000 recognizance bond and has been ordered to avoid county employees and his fellow commissioners while the case moves forward. His pre-trial hearing is set for October 21 in Judge Howard Harcha’s courtroom.
What’s Next for the County
For now, the commissioners remain in limbo. Davis’s leave is considered provisional, and until the three-judge panel finalizes his suspension, his empty chair serves as a visible reminder of the scandal. If the suspension is confirmed, the Scioto County Republican Party will have 45 days to appoint a temporary replacement—leaving taxpayers paying two salaries until the matter is resolved.
In the meantime, Powell and Smith say their focus is on county business, while the fate of their embattled colleague rests with the courts.
