When the MetroHealth board fired CEO Dr. Akram Boutros last week, they provided no evidence that he failed to disclose unauthorized bonuses. We asked for the investigative report the board had commissioned. And late Friday, they released it. The report points to a 2018 Plain Dealer story examining Boutros’s salary, raises and bonuses as critical evidence in the investigation against him. And it says that Boutros – who was preparing to step down after a decade at the helm of Cuyahoga County’s safety net hospital -- suggests that Boutros may face potential criminal liability for “Ohio ethics violations, theft in office, and other related statutes.” - Laura |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
Cavs vs. Pistons: The Cleveland Cavaliers surge in the fourth quarter for a 102-94 win against Detroit Browns vs. Bucs: The Cleveland Browns improve to 4-7 after an 23-17 overtime win against Tampa Northeast Ohio weather forecast: Warm and wet weather on the way |
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A file photo of former MetroHealth CEO Akram Boutros from 2020. (MetroHealth) |
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Akram Boutros: An investigative report indicates that Dr. Akram Boutros, the fired CEO of MetroHealth System, failed to disclose his full annual compensation – including bonuses – on at least two occasions, including one in response to a public records request. Kaitlin Durbin reports that Boutros never reported paying himself an extra $400,000 in annual supplemental bonuses to the board of trustees, to consultants paid to review his total compensation or to media. House speaker: The Ohio House of Representatives, which has passed a wide array of conservative legislation in recent years, soon could become even more conservative thanks to Republicans’ pick to become the next speaker: state Rep. Derek Merrin. Jeremy Pelzer reports Merrin, a 36-year-old Toledo-area Republican, has been a proponent of several proposals that, to date, haven’t passed the House, including a near-total abortion ban, a major expansion of school vouchers, and an anti-union “right-to-work” bill. CPP: As the trial date closed in on a long and winding class-action lawsuit filed by ratepayers of Cleveland Public Power, Cleveland attorneys turned to City Council for help on a last-ditch effort to derail the case. Courtney Astolfi reports that council created an appeals process for customers facing disconnection – which also gives Cleveland new ammunition in its legal defense, potentially retroactively affecting tens of thousands of ratepayers, who contend they were overbilled in years past. |
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Zero income tax: Completely abolishing Ohio’s state income tax, long a conservative pipe dream, has never been closer to becoming a reality, reports Jeremy Pelzer. The state reported receiving about $10.8 billion from income taxes last fiscal year. If that money disappears, state leaders will have to either slash spending, raise other taxes, or some combination of the two. School coalition: The state and a coalition over 130 school districts are awaiting a decision by a Franklin County judge on whether a nearly year-old lawsuit challenging Ohio’s private school vouchers will be dismissed or can continue toward trial. Laura Hancock reports that the suit challenges the state’s EdChoice Scholarship Program, arguing it violates the Ohio Constitution. A new court: Ex-Tennis pro Jim Thomas one completed in world’s biggest tennis events, like Wimbledon and the U.S., French, and Australian opens. Now, he’s a lawyer and soon to begin serving as a Republican member of the Ohio House of Representatives, Jake Zuckerman reports. |
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Johnny Tetrick: Mayor Justin Bibb, Cleveland Public Safety Director Karrie Howard, Cleveland fire Chief Anthony Luke, Fire Chaplain Doug Brown, fire union representatives and pastors on Saturday attended the funeral service to offer prayers and remarks to the family of Johnny Tetrick. Kaylee Remington reports Tetrick, 51, was killed in the line of duty last week when he was struck by a hit-and-run driver while responding to a call of a car crash. Airport revamp: While major construction is still years away, officials at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport began talks in September with the airport’s carriers, who are being asked to shoulder most of the $2 billion cost of the project. Susan Glaser reports the first phase of the project – which includes new concourses, centralized security checkpoints, a new ticketing area, a better-organized customs facility and more – has an estimated price tag of about $800 million. Sales tax: Cuyahoga County Executive-Elect Chris Ronayne has said he would leave it to the public to decide whether to extend the quarter-percent sales tax to pay for a new jail. Kaitlin Durbin reports that a new poll commissioned by cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer indicates it could be a hard sell, depending on who shows up to vote. Turkey bowl: The Meadows Turkey Bowl brought in a record $533,000 for St. Vincent de Paul Society and Mary Grace Memorial Foundation while targeting cancer research, reports Marc Bona. The annual pickup football game started in 1990 and has been raising money since 2005. House paint: Gray paint is so ubiquitous now that Architectural Digest recently asked if gray was taking over the world. Laura Johnston writes about how she she picked her paint colors for her forever house. |
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Sports betting: The Las Vegas-style betting lounges at JACK Cleveland Casino and JACK Thistledown Racino opened Wednesday, Sean McDonnell reports. While visitors can’t bet, they can enjoy theater-style seating and large video walls as they watch big games this holiday season. Small business Saturday: Move over Black Friday. Small Business Saturday will be more popular than ever with consumers this year, according to a new survey from Bankrate.com. Paris Wolfe reports that the day has given rise to special sales promotions at small retailers and in communities of small retailers throughout Northeast Ohio. Chinese food: While Northeast Ohio may not be home to the expansive Chinese cuisine scenes of other cities in the United States, there are still plenty of options for those of us needing to satisfy a craving for Peking duck, General Tso’s chicken or Mongolian beef. Brenda Cain and Yadi Rodriquez share the nest chine restaurants in Greater Cleveland, according to Tripadvisor. |
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Walmart lawsuit: A federal appeals court ruled against Walmart and in favor of the family of a Black man who was shot and killed by police in its Beavercreek location while holding a toy assault weapon, reports Jake Zuckerman. The ruling from the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reverses a lower court’s decision to dismiss the wrongful death lawsuit. Arson: Local and state fire officials are investigating a suspected arson that has left a family homeless in Euclid. Molly Walsh reports that the Ohio Blue Ribbon Arson Committee is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the identification of who is responsible for the fire. |
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End of an era: Coventry Road has long been the hub of Northeast Ohio’s hippie-alternative scene. And Record Revolution was one of its anchors. That is changing, Paris Wolfe reports. On Black Friday, the record shop, which has been a mainstay of the Northeast Ohio music scene for 55 years, announced that it would close permanently on Dec. 31, 2022. Late night: Fine Points knitting shop in Cleveland received some serious love from CBS’ “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” on Thanksgiving. Paris Wolfe reports that Colbert, who’s known for political parody and social satire, aired a particularly generous and creative sketch about the Cleveland yarn shop during his show. Buzzard: How did the Buzzard become the mascot of WMMS radio in Cleveland? John Benson tells the story of how the radio station came up with the logo. Bourbon tastings: Rosewood Grill’s sixth annual Whiskey Week is scheduled with a variety of tastings and pairings. Marc Bona reports that the Whiskey-themed promotion begins Sunday, Nov. 27, and runs daily through Friday, Dec. 2. Each night a prix fixe dinner featuring hard-to-find Bourbon is scheduled. House of the week: Ohio City is one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in Cleveland with century homes on quiet streets, trendy restaurants, bars and shops, plus a historic landmark in the West Side Market. Classic, turn-key Victorians in the heart of the neighborhood don’t hit the market often. Joey Morona reports that a home 2708 Jay Ave. Is noteworthy. |
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New license plate reader cameras help to catch criminals in Middleburg Heights Read more Berea business district noise enforcement moratorium begins Jan. 1 Read more Frontier League adding pitch clock to baseball games Read more Seven Hills announces $2.2 million road program for 2023 Read more Brooklyn mayor touts Medical Mutual of Ohio move, city’s economic development rebound Read more |
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