For two straight weeks, Commissioner Bryan Davis has been absent from Scioto County Commissioners’ meetings following his indictment on corruption charges. His empty chair raised questions, his own party asked him to resign — and now the courts have stepped in.
Judge Evans Suspends Davis
On Wednesday, September 10, Retired Judge D. Dean Evans, who was appointed by the state to handle the Davis case, issued a ruling provisionally suspending Davis from his role as commissioner.
According to the ruling:
“The defendant has submitted to the state of Ohio a written statement authorizing the Special Prosecutor to submit a judgement entry of provisional suspension to the court.”
This means Davis has effectively taken the option of paid leave. Under Ohio law, if he is ultimately found guilty, he will have to pay back all salary collected while suspended.
Pressure Mounts
The suspension comes just days after the Scioto County Republican Party released a statement urging Davis to step down, saying his legal troubles were creating a distraction and adding extra burdens to the remaining commissioners.
Commissioners Scottie Powell and Merit Smith had already called for Davis’s resignation, with Powell stressing that county officials should not be held to “a different set of rules.”
The Charges Against Davis and Horton
Davis and his wife Lori were indicted in August as part of the same corruption scandal tied to former Economic Development Director Robert Horton.
Bryan Davis is charged with:
- Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity
- Two Counts of Theft in Office
- Aggravated Theft
- Money Laundering
Lori Davis is charged with:
- Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity
- Money Laundering
- Receiving Stolen Property
- Tampering with Evidence
The indictments confirmed that the Davises were the unnamed “John and Jane Doe” co-conspirators linked to Horton.
Horton himself faces charges of theft in office, aggravated theft, money laundering, bribery, and tampering with records. Prosecutors allege Horton and his wife Lioubov used sham companies to siphon public money from the Southern Ohio Port Authority and the Minford Emergency Ambulance Service.
What Happens Next
With Davis suspended, the Scioto County Republican Central Committee will be responsible for appointing a temporary replacement — a process similar to when Smith was appointed to replace the late Commissioner Cathy Coleman. That means taxpayers could be footing the bill for two commissioners at once until Davis’s case is resolved.
If Davis is acquitted, he would be eligible to return to office. If convicted, he would be permanently removed and required to repay the salary collected while suspended.
📌 Bottom Line: After weeks of silence and absence, the question “Where’s Bryan Davis?” finally has an answer: he’s suspended, off the job, and awaiting trial — while Scioto County tries to move forward.
