The campaign of Rep. Dave Joyce (OH-14) has told state and federal investigators that a former treasurer may have embezzled funds from his campaign.
In allegations first reported by Cleveland.com, a lawyer for Joyce’s campaign said Scott Coleman made withdrawals of tens of thousand dollars from the congressman’s political coffers.
The Geauga County Prosecutor’s office confirmed that it is investigating.
Coleman has been mayor of Highland Heights, a small suburb on the east side of Cleveland, since 2004. Before becoming Joyce’s campaign treasurer, Coleman held the same position for the late Rep. Steve LaTourette.
Coleman did not respond to a request for comment. Joyce, a Republican whose district stretches from Cleveland’s eastern suburbs to the Pennsylvania line, was first elected to Congress in 2012.
He raised about $2.6 million in the last election cycle.