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Ohio Lawmaker Convicted Of Theft, Immediately Out Of Office

Ohio House of Representatives
Steve Kraus

A northern Ohio lawmaker accused of stealing antiques and other items from a home while doing work as an auctioneer has been convicted on a felony theft charge and immediately removed from office under state law. 

An Ottawa County jury today convicted Rep. Steve Kraus of theft but acquitted him on a breaking and entering charge. The Republican from Sandusky has maintained his innocence. His attorney has said Kraus took items from a Port Clinton home to inventory them for auction at the request of a real estate agent.
House Republican spokeswoman Brittany Warner says Speaker Cliff Rosenberger was reviewing the verdict and working to establish a timeline for the GOP caucus to select Kraus' replacement. Kraus' sentencing is scheduled Aug. 21.

Mike Foley joined WCBE in February 2000, coming from WUFT in Gainesville, Florida. Foley has worked in various roles, from producing news and feature stories to engineering Live From Studio A sessions. A series of music features Foley started in 2018 called Music Journeys has grown into a podcast and radio show. He also assists in developing other programs in WCBE's Podcast Experience. Foley hosts The Morning Mix, a weekday music show featuring emerging and established musicians, our Columbus-area and Ohio-based talent, and additional artists that inspire him.