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Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien says the felony bribery charge handed down Tuesday against state Rep. W. Carlton Weddington of Columbus is the first against a state lawmaker since 1912.

 

Investigators say the second-term Democrat took bribes of checks, cash and all-expense paid trips to South Beach, Miami, and Napa Valley, Calif., in 2011 from a phony business entity set up by the FBI. They further allege he failed to report the trips and gifts on required ethics and campaign finance filings.

 

O'Brien says Weddington faces up to four-and-a-half years in prison if convicted on all counts.

 

Weddington resigned his Statehouse seat and surrendered on Tuesday. His arraignment is scheduled for Friday.

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An Ohio lawmaker has been indicted on charges of bribery, election falsification and filing a false ethics statement.

Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien says the three felony bribery charges handed down Tuesday against state Rep. W. Carlton Weddington of Columbus are the first against a state lawmaker since 1912.

 

Investigators say the second-term Democrat took bribes of checks, cash and all-expense paid trips to South Beach, Miami, and Napa Valley, Calif., in 2011.

 

O'Brien says Weddington would face up to four-and-a-half years in prison if convicted on all counts.

 

His defense attorney says Weddington will surrender at an FBI office this afternoon and anticipates he'll be released on bond. He declined to comment further.

 

O'Brien says Weddington is also expected to resign his House seat Tuesday.