Former Cincinnati city councilman sentenced to 24 months in prison for accepting bribes

CINCINNATI – A former Cincinnati city councilman was sentenced in federal court here today to 24 months in prison for honest services wire fraud.

While serving as a city councilman in fall 2018, Jeffrey Pastor, 39, of Cincinnati, received a $15,000 cash bribe in return for his official action to advance development projects in the city.

According to court documents, in September 2018 Pastor and his associate flew to Miami, Florida, on a private plane to meet with investors regarding a real estate development project. Pastor never paid for or disclosed the trip. During the trip, Pastor explained he would ensure favorable action on behalf of the city for the project and could receive money through his associate’s non-profit entity (which had been incorporated two weeks prior). Pastor discussed “compensation” and agreed to accept $15,000 for helping with the project. He said the purpose of his associate’s entity was to “sanitize” the money.

After flying back to Cincinnati, Pastor called the investor to “negotiate a monthly retainer” and said that $15,000 would be the retainer fee for providing official action.

On Oct. 4, 2018, Pastor accepted $15,000 in cash. After receiving the money, Pastor continued to solicit bribes on multiple occasions for an eight-month period.

Pastor and Tyran Marshall were indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2020. Pastor pleaded guilty in June 2023 and Marshall pleaded guilty in December 2023.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; and J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Matthew W. McFarland. Deputy Criminal Chief Emily N. Glatfelter and Assistant United States Attorney Matthew C. Singer are representing the United States in this case.

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