Former Newton Falls Mayor Patrick Layshock was issued a public reprimand but saw his political influence charges dismissed Friday in Portage County Municipal Court.
The charges that followed an Ohio Ethics Commission investigation were scheduled to be heard in front of a jury last month until a deal was worked out between Layshock's attorney Michael Rossi and an attorney for the commission.
A settlement agreement between both sides states that ''while Layshock admits that the claimed facts supported potential violations of the ethics law because he participated in matters related to his brother's business and property interests, the state nevertheless determined that these matters should be addressed through the settlement authority.''
The agreement points out that Layshock was cooperative with the commission staff during its investigation; that he no longer serves in a public position with the village; and that any development of Layshock's brother's property never materialized.
The charges were dismissed by retired Portage Municipal Judge Barbara Watson with prejudice, meaning they can't be re-filed.
Layshock was charged in January with two counts of a first-degree misdemeanor alleging he improperly attempted to aid his brother's business interests while he was mayor.
The charges stemmed from attempts to develop a Forum Health medical center on land owned by Layshock's brother, Kenneth, and a business partner along state Route 534 in the village.
Kenneth Layshock was never charged with anything.
Kenneth Layshock said in January that he and his business partner had met with officials of Forum Health and several area political and economic leaders for a breakfast meeting Feb. 10, 2009, at Saratoga Restaurant in downtown Warren. He said the intent of the meeting was to determine how to go about obtaining federal stimulus grant money to develop a medical center on the Newton Falls property.
Pat Layshock was recalled by voters in November 2010, removing him from his office and replacing him with current Mayor Lyle Waddell.
Forum Health filed for bankruptcy in March 2009.