Former state lawmaker Clayton Luckie’s federal trial delayed until October

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

Citing the case’s voluminous audio and video evidence, a federal judge on Monday continued the trial of ex-lawmaker Clayton Luckie from June 24 until Oct. 15.

Luckie, along with three other men, face corruption and fraud charges in Dayton’s U.S. District Court, according to a federal indictment unsealed May 1.

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Luckie, a former state legislator, was indicted on charges of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. Federal prosecutors allege Luckie fraudulently helped a construction/demolition company receive work for the city of Dayton by making it look like the contracts were going to a disadvantaged firm.

U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Rose told Luckie the delay would waive Luckie’s speedy trial rights.

Luckie’s attorney, Aaron Durden, told the judge he had just received complete discovery on May 24 and that more time was needed to review whether Luckie would go to trial or if there would be “some other resolution to the case.”

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Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Tabacchi said given the volume of discovery, Luckie’s request was reasonable. Rose said he expected there should be no further trial delays.

Luckie, ex-Dayton city commissioner Joey Williams, city of Dayton employee RoShawn Winburn and Dayton businessman Brian Higgins face a variety of charges related to what FBI assistant special agent in charge Joseph Deters called a “culture of corruption” in Dayton-area politics.

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Williams is accused of accepting bribes — including cash and construction work at his home — in exchange for helping a company get more than $150,000 in contracts with Dayton and its non-profit development and financing arm, according to the indictment.

Winburn is charged with public corruption, accused of accepting bribes from city vendors — including more than $20,000 in cash — for allegedly providing confidential information and certifying entities as minority-owned or disadvantaged firms without fully checking their qualifications, according to the indictment.

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Higgins was charged with wire fraud, accused of filing $100,000 in insurance claims after his 600 gallon fish tank leaked but planned to divert the money instead of making repairs, according to the indictment,

All four defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges. Federal prosecutors said all four defendants have or will file motions to continue their trials.

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