Monday, September 26, 2011
Prosecutor says former councilman had a pattern of corrupt activity
Former Councilman Pat Coyne has been sentenced to 57 months in prison for bribery and fraud. With his wife, son, daughter and other relatives in the courtroom, Coyne, 53, apologized for his actions in a shaky, emotion-filled voice during his sentencing this morning before U.S. District Judge Patricia Gaughan. "I apologize to the court, my wife and three children. I am truly remorseful for my actions," he said in a low voice. Coyne was taken into custody immediately following sentencing and led from the courtroom in handcuffs. Gaughan said Coyne had faced 24 to 30 months in prison for taking bribes from a Hinckley developer, but that term more than doubled because he ran a fraud involving a Krispy Kreme doughnut store while he was under …
Monday, September 19, 2011
Court date was delayed after former councilman taken to hospital
Former Strongsville Councilman Pat Coyne is scheduled to be sentenced for fraud and other charges at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 26. Coyne was supposed to be sentenced last week, but the court date was postponed because of illness. Coyne reportedly fainted due to high blood pressure and was in the intensive care unit at Southwest General Health Center. The date was reset for Sept. 21, but has now moved to Sept. 26. Coyne faces prison for bribery, fraud and money laundering. Between March and May of this year, Coyne bilked an acquaintance out of $32,000, telling the man he was investing in a Krispy Kreme doughnut franchise in Brunswick. Coyne actually did not represent Krispy Kreme. Coyne also pleaded guilty to accepting $20,000 in bribes from …
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Attorney says former councilman is hospitalized
The attorney representing Pat Coyne asked a federal judge to postpone the former councilman's sentencing today because he is in the hospital. Craig Weintraub filed a motion for a continuance this morning. Coyne was supposed to be sentenced at 11:30 a.m. on charges of bribery, fraud and money laundering. Weintraub included a note from Coyne's doctor at Southwest General Health Center in his motion. The note from Dr. Ramesh Gundapaneni said Coyne is in the intensive care unit being treated for high blood pressure. On Sept. 6, "Mr. Coyne lost consciousness because of life threatening hypertension and suffered a head injury when he fell to the floor," Weintraub's motion says. Coyne was taken by ambulance to Southwest. "Additional testing is …
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Former councilman faces prison on bribery, fraud charges
Former Strongsville Councilman Pat Coyne is expected to be sentenced on corruption charges next week. Sentencing is set for 11:30 a.m. Sept. 7 before U.S. District Judge Patricia A. Gaughan. Coyne pleaded guilty June 10 to five charges in connection with bribing a Hinckley developer and bilking an acqaintance out of $32,000 by getting him to invest in a non-existent Krispy Kreme doughnut franchise. Coyne has been on house arrest since entering the guilty plea. He resigned from City Council May 6. He could face up to 45 years in prison, but is expected to be sentenced to three to four years following a plea agreement. The bribery charges stemmed from the ongoing Cuyahoga County corruption probe. Coyne admitted to taking $20,000 in bribes …
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Appointment ends Pat Coyne era in Strongsville government
Duke Southworth 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. Coyne resigned May 5, 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. A 1991 graduate of St. Ignatius High School, he is a practicing lawyer who owns North Haven Settlements, a structured settlement and financial …
Friday, June 10, 2011
House arrest will continue till sentencing Sept. 7
Former Councilman Pat Coyne pleaded guilty to five corruption charges this morning in U.S. District Court. The charges carry a maximum sentence of 45 years in prison, but a plea agreement calls for him to serve three or four years behind bars. Sentencing is set for Sept. 7. In the meantime, Coyne will remain on house arrest with his assets frozen. His attorney, Craig Weintraub, protested the house arrest, arguing that other defendants in the on-going Cuyahoga County corruption probe were free on bond pending sentencing. But prosecutors said the other defendants did not run fraudulent investment schemes while they were under investigation for corruption. Between March and May of this year, Coyne bilked an acquaintance out of $32,000, …
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Arraignment before U.S. District judge set for 10 a.m.
Former Councilman Pat Coyne is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court Friday morning to answer to federal charges. An arraignment is set for 10 a.m. before Judge Patricia A. Gaughan. Coyne, who resigned from his City Council seat May 6, a few days before he was arrested for bribery, has been charged with five counts relating to accepting bribes and running a fraudulent investment scheme that allegedly bilked an investor out of $32,000. His attorney, Craig Weintraub, could not be reached for comment. However, it has been reported that Coyne is expected to plead guilty. The charges allege he accepted four $5,000 bribes from Hinckley developer David Terry for favorable consideration of Terry's Strongsville projects. Terry has pleaded …
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Prosecutors say he tried to swindle an investor just before he was arrested in May
When former Councilman Pat Coyne was arrested earlier this month, it was based on an allegation he had taken $20,000 in bribes from developer Dave Terry. But when formal charges were finally filed Friday, they included other allegations of fraud involving a Krispy Kreme doughnut shop and his former job at the Cuyahoga County Coroner's office. The Krispy Kreme scam took place this spring, while Coyne was already under investigation for taking the bribes, according to prosecutors. Illegal Hiring At the coroner's office, Coyne and others "abused their official positions by exerting influence over county hiring and personnel decisions in return for private gain," the charge says. It says Terry gave Coyne $20,000 for positive influence in Terry…
Friday, June 3, 2011
Prosecutors say he convinced investor to contribute to bogus project
Former Councilman Patrick J. Coyne has been charged with five counts that not only allege he took bribes from a developer, but also defrauded an investor in a doughnut business. A criminal information was filed today in U.S. District Court against Coyne, 52, who has been a target of the Cuyahoga County corruption probe. The fact that Coyne was charged by information rather than indictment indicates he is cooperating with investigators. The information charges Coyne with one count each of: bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds, money laundering, conspiracy to commit bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds, structuring and wire fraud. A hearing is expected next week at which Coyne could plead to the charges. Coyne …
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Successor to Pat Coyne to be chosen
A total of 27 people are seeking to replace Pat Coyne on Strongsville City Council. Eleven of the candidates filed for the post on Friday, which was the last day to apply. They are: Emanuel (Manny) Estrela, 15239 Old Oak Drive; Steve Sinisgalli, 20637 Westminster Drive; Anthony P. Zubek, 16689 Timberline Drive; Ruth A. Brickley, 20762 Pineview Circle; Brian Jungeberg, 12664 South Churchill Way; Mel Miller, 12615 Janette Ave.; Barry Zimmerman, 17651 Hampton Place; Danny F. Easa, 18084 N. Inlet Drive; John A. Palmer, 12221 The Bluffs; David M. Gusman, 20578 Pembrooke Oval; Ron Stebbins, 13475 Webster Rd.; Peter A. Rossi, Jr., 14904 Cortland Way; Tobey C. Cook, 20667 Chestnut Drive; Lora A. Petric, 19728 Stoughton Drive; John …
Denise
8:39 am on Wednesday, September 21, 2011
A person that helps others, but steals, is still a thief. A person that uses his position in life for personal gain is also a thief. Any good done is shattered by the horrible deed done. I have to ask Pat: With the huge amount salary that you made at both jobs, that wasn't enough? Did you think you were better then other people and DESERVED MORE? Or was it just because you could? Was it worth it… more ›