Gerberry Resigns from Ohio House of Representatives

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – State Rep. Ron Gerberry’s long political life in the Ohio Legislature will end Aug. 21, the effective date of his resignation.

In a letter dated Aug. 7, Gerberry, D-59, wrote the speaker of the Ohio House, Cliff Rosenberger, stating his intentions.

Gerberry, who first went to Columbus in 1982, is expected to plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge reportedly related to kickbacks of campaign funds. The bill of information was reported by The Vindicator.

According to the newspaper Gerberry allegedly overpaid vendors “to make it look like he spent money and then having much of it returned to him as refund.”

Writes Gerberry in his letter of resignation, “It has been an honor to serve the people of Mahoning County along with the dedicated members of the House. I appreciate the opportunities that I have been granted and will always cherish the memories and friendships that I take with me into private life.”

Gerberry is a graduate of Youngstown State University and a former high school teacher. He began his political career as a member of the Austintown school board and appointed to the Ohio House of Representatives in 1982. When term limits forced him to leave the legislature, in 2000, he ran for Mahoning County recorder. He returned to the state house in 2007 when he was appointed to fill another unexpired term and since was twice reelected.

Gerberry is the House Democrat who has served the longest in the legislature.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.