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State Rep. Peter Beck of Mason Indicted on 53 New Felony Counts

Photo: Ohio House of Representatives
Photo: Ohio House of Representatives

The new charges stem from the same case that Beck was indicted on last July, when he was charged with 16 counts.

The investigation of Beck was done by Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Hamilton County prosecutor Joe Deters.

The 53 new charges are all felonies. They include theft, fraud, perjury, receiving stolen property and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity.

Beck is still a member of the Ohio House. This afternoon, he resigned from his chairmanship of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. He’s also a candidate for re-election; and faces a primary challenge in May.

All 69 charges stem from Beck’s involved in an alleged scheme to bilk investors in a software company called C-Tech. Beck was the company’s chief financial officer.

Beck’s lawyers put out a statement saying the new charges are based on essentially the same evidence as the original indictment. They call the allegations false. And they say Beck will be exonerated when the case goes to trial.

UPDATE:

CINCINNATI (AP) - The speaker of the Ohio House says Beck has agreed to give up his powerful committee chairmanship after a new indictment.

Speaker William Batchelder, a Republican from Medina, says Beck will relinquish chairmanship of the House Ways and Means Committee.

Beck has rejected calls for his resignation and is running for re-election.

Nick Castele was a senior reporter covering politics and government for Ideastream Public Media. He worked as a reporter for Ideastream from 2012-2022.