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Courts and Crime


Coyne pleads guilty
Former Councilman admits to charges of bribery, money laundering and wire fraud
by WKSU's KABIR BHATIA


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Kabir Bhatia
 

A key player in Cuyahoga County’s Democratic machine has admitted to charges of bribery, money laundering and wire fraud.  WKSU’s Kabir Bhatia has more on Patrick Coyne’s guilty plea and what it means to the county corruption probe…

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After Friday’s U.S. District Court hearing, defense attorneys told the Plain Dealer that former-Strongsville Councilman Patrick Coyne’s actions stemmed from personal financial difficulties. He also said Coyne is providing substantial cooperation with federal prosecutors.
In court, Coyne said little beyond entering a guilty plea to taking thousands of dollars in bribes. He also admitted he conned an investor into putting up 32-thousand dollars for a nonexistent Krispy Kreme franchise. The plea deal calls for a sentence between 41 and 51 months in prison.
Case Western Reserve Law Professor Jonathan Entin says the sentence reflects the significance of Coyne’s connections, not just his crimes.
Coyne admitted accepting 20 thousand dollars in bribes from developer David Terry to be awarded Strongsville city contracts.  But, Entin says the feds’ interest in Coyne is likely more tied to what he knows about other players in the Cuyahoga County corruption probe.
Coyne was also head of human resources for the county coroner’s office.
His sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 7
 

 
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