Press Release

Gregory A. White, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, today announced that a two-count information was filed charging former Toledo City Council Member-at-Large Robert A. McCloskey, age 60, of 2137 Valentine Street, Toledo, Ohio with bribery in violation of the Hobbs Act.

Count 1 of the information alleges that on March 22, 2006, McCloskey accepted a $3,000 bribe from an unnamed Toledo businessman who was cooperating with the FBI. Count 2 of the Information alleges that he accepted a second $2,000 bribe from the same businessman on April 12, 2006.

If convicted, the defendant's sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant's prior criminal record, if any, the defendant's role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ann C. Rowland following investigation initiated by the Toledo Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 2005.

An information is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.