Scioto County Commissioner Scottie Powell didn’t mince words after Bryan Davis pleaded guilty Monday to three felony charges in the county corruption case.
“Today the lying, the gas lighting, the political grandstanding, the corruption ends with a whimper and a guilty plea,” Powell wrote in a statement released shortly after Davis admitted his guilt in Scioto County Common Pleas Court.
For Powell, the guilty plea marked the end of what he described as one of the most difficult periods of his public career.
“Today marks the end of an era,” he wrote. “Over the past three and a half years I’ve had to navigate a seemingly impossible task—keep the county running while at the same time working with someone you knew was guilty of at least ethically questionable behavior, at worst leveraging their public office for criminal activities to enrich themselves.”
Why He Stayed Silent
Powell said many people have asked why he didn’t publicly speak out while the investigation was underway.
According to Powell, it wasn’t because he didn’t know what was happening.
Instead, he said he was cooperating with investigators.
After the alleged corruption scheme came to light on Feb. 14, 2023, Powell said he fully cooperated with the Ohio Auditor of State’s investigation and, as a witness, was asked not to publicly discuss what he knew.
“I believe in the process and wanted to ensure that none of my public actions put the work of the investigators at risk,” he said.
Instead of speaking publicly, Powell said he worked behind the scenes, questioning decisions that didn’t add up and, at times, serving as the lone “no” vote during commission meetings.
He hinted that there is much more to tell about those years but said Monday wasn’t the day.
“At some point I will share more details about this experience, but that will not be today.”
Thanking Investigators
Powell credited Ohio Auditor Keith Faber and his investigative team for seeing the corruption investigation through to completion and thanked Scioto County Prosecutor Shane Tieman for bringing in a special prosecutor to handle the criminal case.
He said removing public corruption has made Scioto County stronger.
Praise for County Employees
Powell also recognized county employees who continued serving the public while the investigation cast a cloud over county government.
He said many employees endured years of uncertainty and stress through no fault of their own.
“They continued to serve this board and this county with class and poise,” Powell wrote.
Looking Toward the Future
Although Powell called Monday “a somber day” for Scioto County, he said it also marks a turning point.
Over the past year, the county has reorganized economic development under a new nonprofit corporation, hired a new economic development director, and continued pursuing major projects, including Google’s proposed Franklin Furnace data center.
With Davis’ guilty plea, Powell said the county can finally begin putting the scandal behind it.
“Today is a somber day for Scioto County, but it sets a date and time where we can move on. We can continue to build. We can focus on the many good things happening in this county. Our brighter days are ahead of us.“
