Basheer Jones, 40, of Cleveland, has been charged with wire fraud and honest services fraud for allegedly defrauding community stakeholders of over $200,000 while serving as a public official, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Ohio, announced today.
The charges stem from Jones’s alleged actions between December 2018 and June 2021, during which he is accused of misrepresenting and concealing material facts to persuade nonprofits to fund projects aimed at revitalizing Cleveland’s Ward 7.
Fraudulent Schemes and Concealed Financial Interests
According to the department, Jones arranged for nonprofit organizations to make payments toward what he claimed were community revitalization projects, while secretly concealing his financial connections to these projects. The funds were funneled into accounts controlled by Jones’s romantic partner, who allegedly redirected the money back to Jones, herself, and other associates.
In one such scheme, Jones recommended a nonprofit hire a “consultant” for community outreach, who was later revealed to be his romantic partner. The partner submitted a proposal requesting $5,000 per month but provided minimal services, the department alleges.
Jones also sought funding to rehabilitate distressed properties while hiding his personal stake in these properties. In one instance, he arranged for a co-conspirator to acquire a dilapidated property and sponsored city ordinances to allocate funding for nonprofits to purchase and renovate it. When a nonprofit declined the deal, Jones allegedly transferred the property to his partner’s business and attempted to sell it back to the nonprofit for $80,000.
In another case, Jones and his partner acquired a property for just $1, concealing a $40,500 demolition bill. They immediately resold the property to a nonprofit for $45,000, failing to disclose the debt, according to the department.
Legal Proceedings and Presumption of Innocence
These charges are part of an ongoing investigation, and Jones is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. The government bears the burden of proving his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
If convicted, Jones faces significant legal consequences, including potential fines and imprisonment, for his alleged fraudulent activities while in office.
This case highlights the potential for abuse of power by public officials and underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in managing public funds and nonprofit resources.
