Three former Toledo City Council members convicted in corruption scandal

TOLEDO, Ohio - Three of the four former Toledo City Council members accused of accepting bribes in exchange for votes pleaded guilty to criminal charges against them.

Tyrone Riley, Yvonne Harper, and Larry Sykes changed their pleas on bribery and extortion charges to guilty on Friday.

Former Councilwoman Yvonne Harper pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges for violating the Hobbs Act. She could face up to 20 years in prison and up to three years of supervised release. She could be subject to a fine of up to $250,000.

Former Councilmen Tyrone Riley and Larry Sykes pleaded guilty to extortion charges for violating the Hobbs Act. All other charges against them were dropped. They could face up to 20 years in prison and up to three years of supervised release. They could be subject to a fine of up to $250,000. All three will be sentenced at a later date.

Former Councilman Gary Johnson is slated to appear before a federal jury on Jan. 9, 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

It comes just weeks ahead of the scheduled start of their jury trial.

Riley, Harper, Johnson, and Sykes were arrested in 2020. They were suspended from their roles on city council and have previously denied the allegations against them.

Court records show the FBI began investigating the former council members in regard to the alleged bribes-for-votes scheme in 2018 that unfolded over the following two years. The four are accused of accepting payments ranging from $500 to $5,000 in exchange for their votes on zoning requests to internet cafes and special use permits, or SUPs, for local businesses.

“Court documents show that during this time, Riley accepted more than $5,000 in payments and meals in return for his support on five occasions related to zoning changes and SUPs for businesses,” a statement from the DOJ read. “Additionally, on two occasions, Harper accepted more than $5,000 in return for her support of zoning changes and SUPs for businesses. Sykes accepted, on two occasions, approximately $1,500 for his support of SUPs.”

Riley, Harper, and Sykes are scheduled to be sentenced in June of 2023.

This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates as we learn more.

Previous coverage:

• Five indicted in Toledo City Council federal bribery and extortion case
• Four Toledo City Council members accused of accepting bribes in 2 year FBI investigation
• Mayor Kapszukiewicz, council president call on members facing corruption charges to resign
• Charged council members have long history of public service
• Unless they resign, charged council members will likely remain
• Lawyer in Toledo City Council corruption scandal arrested, charged
• Attorney named in City Council bribery case dies
• Four new city council members appointed to seats vacated by bribery scandal
• FBI involvement in internet café raises questions in Toledo council investigation
• Suspended Toledo City Council member asks for separate federal trial
• Attorneys file motion to dismiss charges against Toledo City Councilmember
• One year later still no trial or trial date for Toledo City Council members in bribery case
• Courts finding new judge to hear Toledo City Council bribery case
• Trial date set for former Toledo City Council members accused in pay-to-play scheme

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