Toledo: Law license of former councilman suspended

The Supreme Court of Ohio has indefinitely suspended the law license of former Toledo City Councilman Tyrone Riley based on his federal public corruption conviction.
Riley has been under an interim suspension since September 2023 after pleading guilty to violating the federal Hobbs Acts. Riley began serving his two-year prison sentence in January. The Supreme Court indefinitely suspended Riley and granted him no credit for time served under the interim suspension.
` The opinion noted Riley’s conviction was based on extorting money from those doing business with the city, and the presumed sanction for attorneys in public office who commit extortion is permanent disbarment.
However, the court noted it has opted for an indefinite suspension in cases where the attorney’s prior commitment to public service demonstrates a “capacity for rehabilitation sufficient to one day return to the practice of law.”
Based on Riley’s record of public service and commitment to the community, the court stated it was convinced he could one day prove he can resume the ethical practice of law.
Chief Justice Sharon L. Kennedy, and Justices Patrick F. Fischer, R. Patrick DeWine, Michael P. Donnelly, Melody Stewart, and Joseph T. Deters joined the opinion. Justice Jennifer Brunner did not participate in the case.
Riley was a member of city council from 2012 to 2020. He temporarily stepped down from office pending the federal investigation that led to his conviction. He and three other city council members were indicted in July 2020.
Council members vote on zoning changes and issuance of special use permits for local businesses. Between April 2019 and February 2020, Riley voted on five zoning changes and special use permits for Toledo businesses in exchange for money or meals.
One of the transactions involved an FBI source who applied for a special use permit to operate an internet café in Toledo. Riley called the source and said, “I need to raise about five grand.” The source responded that he would help Riley if the councilman helped get the permit, and Riley agreed.