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Press Release

Grand jury indicts former Cincinnati City Council president on charges of honest services wire fraud, bribery, attempted extortion

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Ohio

CINCINNATI – A federal grand jury in Cincinnati has returned an indictment charging the former Cincinnati City Council president pro tem with honest services wire fraud, bribery and attempted extortion.

 

Tamaya Dennard, 40, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint on Feb. 25.

 

Dennard was elected to Cincinnati City Council in November 2017 and resigned on March 2, 2020.

 

According to court documents, between August and December 2019, Dennard engaged in acts and attempted acts of bribery and extortion, attempting to exchange her votes for money.

 

Dennard allegedly requested between $10,000 and $15,000 from an individual to pay for her personal expenses.

 

At the direction of and in coordination with the FBI, the individual and Dennard exchanged a total of $15,000, in increments of $10,000 and $5,000, for upcoming votes on a matter scheduled to be heard by Council. 

 

Dennard is charged by indictment with three counts of honest services wire fraud (up to 20 years in prison), two counts of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds (up to 10 years in prison) and two counts of attempted extortion under color of right (up to 20 years in prison).

 

David M. DeVillers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; and Chris Hoffman, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; announced the indictment. Deputy Criminal Chief Emily N. Glatfelter and Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Singer are representing the United States in this case.

 

An indictment merely contains allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

 

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Updated March 11, 2020

Topic
Public Corruption