State Rep., Former School Board Member Charged With Bribery

Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien says the felony bribery charge handed down Tuesday against state Rep. W. Carlton Weddington of Columbus is the first against a state lawmaker since 1912. Investigators say the second-term Democrat took bribes of checks, cash and all-expense paid trips to South Beach, Miami, and Napa Valley, Calif., in 2011 from a phony business entity set up by the FBI. They further allege he failed to report the trips and gifts on required ethics and campaign finance filings. O'Brien says Weddington faces up to four-and-a-half years in prison if convicted on all counts. Weddington , who is a former Columbus School Board member, resigned his Statehouse seat and surrendered on Tuesday. His arraignment is scheduled for Friday.