Cincinnati City Councilwoman Betsy Sundermann proposed a charter amendment to the city charter.

The amendment would allow the city to suspend a council member upon the filing of an indictment or certain criminal charges, and to remove them if convicted.

There is currently no provision in the Cincinnati Charter addressing what happens in the event of public corruption allegations.

The proposed charter amendment also requires ethics training for new council members within 60 days of oath of office.

The amendment also prohibits council members from amending their successor designation certificate after being indicted.

If approved by council, the charter amendment would be submitted to the voters for approval in 2021.

Cincinnati City Councilman Alexander “P.G.” Sittenfeld is the second councilman suspended in a process initiated by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost after being arrested on federal bribery charges.

Sittenfeld voluntarily agreed to the temporary suspension without objection.

Additionally, Hamilton County Probate Court Judge Ralph “Ted” Winkler will appoint his temporary replacement next week.

Sittenfeld’s third term on council began in 2018 and ends at the end of 2021. 

Cincinnati City Councilman Jeff Pastor was suspended in a process initiated by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost.

Pastor’s suspension comes after he was arrested on federal bribery charges.

This is the first time the city of Cincinnati has used the process through the probate court.

Additionally, Pastor accepted the temporary suspension without objection.

As part of the process, Hamilton County Probate Court Judge Ralph “Ted” Winkler named Cincinnati attorney Steve Goodin as Pastor’s temporary replacement.

Interim Council Member Goodin’s term began immediately after the suspension.

Goodin will continue the term until Pastor’s court case is completed or he is removed from office.

Pastor’s four-year term began in 2018 and ends at the end of 2021.