The corruption scandal that has rocked Scioto County politics continues to drag on in court, with little movement to show for it.
Former Economic Development Director Robert Horton and his wife Lioubov were scheduled to face a jury trial at the end of July. But back in April, Horton’s attorney requested a continuance—and the case has been crawling ever since.
September Status Conference: More Waiting
On September 16, the couple’s attorneys appeared for a status conference to set the next step in the process. The court’s decision? Another status conference.
That hearing is now set for November 19, with the court ruling that both Horton’s and his wife’s attorneys will be allowed to participate by phone.
It means the long-anticipated trial is still on hold, leaving Scioto County residents with more questions than answers.
Background on the Charges
The Hortons face a mountain of felony charges, including:
- Robert Horton: Theft in office, aggravated theft, money laundering, bribery, and tampering with public records.
- Lioubov Horton: Telecommunications fraud, tampering with evidence, and additional related charges.
Prosecutors say the pair set up sham companies to funnel public money from the Southern Ohio Port Authority (SOPA) and Minford Emergency Ambulance Service into their own pockets. Horton is accused of disguising bribes as commissions to his wife and pressuring businesses to destroy evidence when the state auditor began investigating.
The Davis Connection
The Horton case has already spilled into the wider political world of Scioto County. This summer, indictments confirmed what many had suspected: Commissioner Bryan Davis and his wife Lori were the unnamed “John and Jane Doe” co-conspirators listed in the Horton filings.
Davis and his wife face their own slate of charges:
- Bryan Davis: Engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, theft in office (two counts), aggravated theft, and money laundering.
- Lori Davis: Money laundering, tampering with evidence, and receiving stolen property.
Both have pleaded not guilty. Bryan Davis is currently on voluntary paid leave after a provisional suspension. He was fingerprinted and released on bond in September and is due back in court for a pre-trial hearing on October 21 in Judge Howard Harcha’s courtroom.
What’s Next
- Horton case: Another status conference scheduled for November 19. No trial date in sight.
- Davis case: Pre-trial hearing set for October 21.
- Scioto County: Still waiting for answers and accountability as the scandal winds its way through the courts.
For now, the two biggest corruption cases in recent county history remain stuck in neutral.