Former Ohio city council member charged with bribery, fraud

CLEVELAND — Basheer Jones, 40, a former Cleveland City Council member representing Ward 7, has been charged with conspiring to commit wire fraud and honest services fraud.

Federal prosecutors allege that Jones used his position as a public official to defraud nonprofit organizations and other stakeholders of more than $200,000 for personal financial gain.

Court documents detail schemes allegedly carried out by Jones and a co-conspirator, described as his romantic partner, between December 2018 and June 2021.

Prosecutors claim Jones misrepresented his intentions to nonprofit organizations, leading them to fund community projects that ultimately funneled money into accounts controlled by his partner.

Among the accusations, Jones reportedly advised nonprofits to hire a “consultant” for community projects, concealing that the consultant was his partner.

In one case, the consultant allegedly received $5,000 monthly but provided minimal services in return.

Another scheme involved Jones soliciting $50,000 from a nonprofit for a community event that was never held, with funds allegedly split among Jones, his partner, and associates.

Jones is also accused of attempting to profit from real estate deals while hiding his financial interests.

In one instance, he allegedly orchestrated a plan to use city funds to purchase and rehabilitate a property on Superior Road, which had been acquired by his partner at his direction.

After efforts to involve a nonprofit in the transaction failed, prosecutors say he tried to sell the property through his partner’s consulting business for $80,000.

Additionally, Jones and his partner are accused of misleading another nonprofit into overpaying for a property.

They allegedly purchased the property for $1, along with an unpaid $40,500 demolition bill, before reselling it to the nonprofit for $45,000 without disclosing the debt.

The charges against Jones are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

If convicted, his sentence will be determined by the court, considering various factors, including the statutory maximum for the charges.

The case is being investigated by the FBI Cleveland Division, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of the Inspector General, and the IRS – Criminal Investigation. Prosecutors Erica Barnhill and Elliot Morrison of the Northern District of Ohio are handling the case.