Lawyer in corruption probe to plead guilty
Cleveland -- A lawyer charged with racketeering and bribery in a lengthy investigation of county government corruption in Cleveland is preparing to plead guilty.
An indictment filed in June against Anthony Calabrese III alleges he paid a county worker to influence commissioners' choice of a new administration building. The indictment also accused Calabrese of trying to hinder the corruption investigation.
Calabrese previously was accused of paying public officials in exchange for business for his law firm and legal clients and had pleaded not guilty to all charges against him.
A federal court filing Dec. 25 says Akron federal judge Sara Lioi has scheduled a Jan. 15 hearing where Calabrese plans to plead guilty.
-- Associated Press
New Supreme Court justice sworn in
Columbus -- William O'Neill has become the latest Democrat to serve on the Republican dominated Ohio Supreme Court.
O'Neill was sworn in at a ceremony in Cleveland on Dec. 27, where former Justice Alice Robie Resnick administered the oath and Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor provided remarks.
O'Neill is a former 11th District Court of Appeals judge and a registered nurse. He defeated incumbent Republican Robert Cupp in November.
O'Neill will join newly elected Republican Sharon Kennedy and Kasich appointee Judith French as new faces on the court. His term of office begins Jan. 2.
-- Associated Press
13-year-old denies stealing police dog
Willoughby -- A 13-year-old boy in Northeast Ohio has entered the equivalent of not-guilty pleas to charges that he stole a search-and-rescue dog.
The boy's public defender told The News-Herald of Willoughby that he entered the pleas in juvenile court Dec. 26.
The boy was accused of stealing the dog in Kirtland in September, when he was 12. He was charged with theft of a police dog and grand theft, both felonies. He also faces misdemeanor counts of harassing a police dog and criminal mischief.
The dog is part of Big Creek Search Dog Team, which assists law enforcement and other agencies in searching for missing people.
The dog's owner, Willis Rosch, told the newspaper he wants the youth prosecuted "to the fullest extent of the law."
-- Associated Press
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