Politics & Government
Duke Southworth Takes Over At-Large City Council Seat
Appointment ends Pat Coyne era in Strongsville government
took the oath of office Monday evening, filling the at-large City Council seat vacated last month by Pat Coyne.
Southworth, a lawyer, said he comes to council with no agenda -- only a desire to help.
"I'm excited, honored and looking forward to turning the page on a sad chapter and going forward," he said.
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, three days before he was arrested on suspicion of bribery. He has since pleaded guilty to five felony charges and faces three to four years in prison.
Southworth, 38, was chosen from 27 applicants to fill Coyne's unexpired term, which runs through 2013.
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A 1991 graduate of St. Ignatius High School, he is a practicing lawyer who owns North Haven Settlements, a structured settlement and financial planning firm that assists litigants.
"Duke is going to be a great addition," Mayor Tom Perciak said. "He brings a whole new perspective, a whole new thought process to council."
Southworth is the son-in-law of State Sen. Tom Patton and serves as Patton's campaign treasurer and co-chair.
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