Sandusky commissioners to Lockhart: Resign

SANDUSKY — Five out of six Sandusky city commissioners want the board's seventh member, Greg Lockhart, to step down.The calls for his resignation come in response to rape allegations and other criminal complaints lodged against the 44-year-old, first-term commissioner."My conclusion that he should resign is based upon his reprehensible conduct, which he did not dispute, as well as an accumulation of other charges and judgments too great to look past," Sandusky ex officio mayor Dennis Murray Jr. said.Lockhart's criminal history includes three rape allegations — two involving children — and several documented instances of domestic violence and assault offenses allegedly committed against women.Lockhart has not directly responded to questions raised about the allegations, although he's posted comments on his social media page. But most, if not all, of his statements there appear to be false and/or without substance. In some of those posts, Lockhart has claimed the Register's reporting of his criminal history is inaccurate, but he hasn't provided any information refuting the coverage.The news stories the Register has published are based on numerous police reports documenting criminal complaints against Lockhart. Sandusky city commissioner Greg LockhartIn 2015, city voters elected Lockhart to the commission. The Register generally doesn't conduct criminal background checks for political candidates and did not pursue one for Lockhart during that campaign. Reporters, however, did ask Lockhart about his past before the election, and he failed to disclose both his prior arrests and the child sex offense convictions.Lockhart pleaded no contest in 2001 to charges of sexual imposition and soliciting a minor, involving a 14-year-old girl.While Lockhart maintains his innocence, he's never offered any explanation for why the girl accused him — or why another woman, who said Lockhart raped her when she was 16, would go to police and falsely claim he is a rapist.In early 2016, the Register reported a rape allegation made against him in late 2015. That allegation and Lockhart's announcement last month that he would be an independent candidate for county commission prompted the Register to conduct a more thorough review of his criminal background.Another city commissioner addressed her comments directly to Lockhart. "It is time for you to take a critical examination of yourself, take a sober look at the evidence you face, save other people from being drawn into your drama and handle your business so the rest of us can get back to handling the city's business," commissioner Naomi Twine said.Commissioner Wes Poole, a confidant of Lockhart's, did not respond to questions when asked if he had concerns about Lockhart's continued service on city commission.Commission commentsThe Register emailed six Sandusky city commissioners — Dick Brady, Nikki Lloyd, Dennis Murray Jr., Wes Poole, Naomi Twine and Dave Waddington — asking each of them if they were concerned about commissioner Greg Lockhart's criminal history and his continued service on commission.Only Wes Poole didn't respond to the inquiry. Here's what the other five said:• Naomi Twine: Mr. Lockhart: Handle your business. I resent the fact that our fellow commissioners and I have been drawn into your drama. It is not in my character to tell someone what to do if they haven't asked me for my opinion, however, after you initiated a telephone call with me on May 30, 2018, I am asking you to resign your seat on the Sandusky city commission. Your deflection of the issue that you face, your defiant nature of blaming others, the casting of dispersions on other people for what is happening to you tells me that you selfishly have not considered how what is happening to you is negatively impacting the work of the city. It is time for you to take a critical examination of yourself, take a sober look at the evidence you face, save other people from being drawn into your drama and handle your business so the rest of us can get back to handling the city's business.Sandusky city commissioner Naomi Twine• Dick Brady: On two separate occasions, I have encouraged him to resign as a city commissioner. I shared with him that, it is my belief, if he loves this city, his resignation is the only option that will allow him to focus on resolving his legal issues and permit our city to move forward without this distraction. Recently, our society has awoken to the amount of sexual harassment in this country. This is disturbing. What is more disturbing is the failure to act when this harassment is exposed. We are not talking about harassment here: We are reading the history of crimes committed against women and children. Two years ago, the voters in this city elected this man. Those same voters have the option of recalling him. We must not allow his behavior to slow down our pace as we move this city forward.Sandusky city commissioner Dick Brady• Nikki Lloyd: I believe Lockhart should resign from the Sandusky city commission and remove himself from the Erie County commission race. As commissioner, the legislation does not give us power to remove another commissioner, even in these horrendous circumstances. The voters put him is his seat, therefore, they can vote him out.With all of the allegations against him, it's clear that Lockhart has been inappropriate with young women. Commissioner Lockhart should take a long, hard look in the mirror and ask himself if he truly thinks he has acted appropriately in these situations. I have read the reports and was horrified how he took advantage of his age and power over these young girls. As adults, and as a community, we all have an obligation to make sure we are leading these children in the right direction and protecting them, not putting them in harm's way.Sandusky city commissioner Nikki Lloyd• Dave Waddington: Recent published reports have made me feel disgusted and uncomfortable, however, I recognize the process of due process. Lockhart has called them false, although the published stories were accompanied by police documents. Further, he has denied any wrongdoing, using Facebook, but has refused answering questions from the press. As an elected official, sometimes it is required to set aside personal feelings and behave in a way that best serves the community. In this case, how has Mr. Lockhart's past legal issues impacted the city of Sandusky? Almost daily, the front page has something negative that has probably been seen by many guests that come to our community. The #MeToo movement has awakened much of the country to the victimization against women that has gone on way too long in this country. It would be in his best interest to resign. There are too many facts out there. It's a big distraction for our community, and it's not going to go away.Sandusky city commissioner Dave Waddington• Dennis Murray Jr.: While I respect the fundamental right of the voters to decide who sits next to us, I cannot remain silent about the commission's current predicament and distraction. From the outset, the integrity of commissioner Lockhart's election was badly compromised:— First, the public was unaware of his conviction for heinous conduct, which he did not dispute. Had that been known, he would not have been elected.— Second, the public was unaware of a raft of additional charges, arrests and judgments, which are still coming to light. These, too, would have changed the outcome of the election.— Third, his election was fueled by thousands of dollars, or secret money, which I estimate to be close to $10,000. He has never disclosed the source of this money, itself a violation of the law, or to whom he may be beholden as a result.We are now well beyond the point that commissioner Lockhart can hope to continue serving effectively. For the sake of Sandusky, and for his own good, he should resign. We have agreed on many votes and disagreed on a few. My conclusion that he should resign has nothing to do with those votes. Our disagreements at the commission table should remain there. My conclusion that he should resign is based upon his reprehensible conduct, which he did not dispute, as well as an accumulation of other charges and judgments too great to look past. Had he disclosed all of this, and the voters elected him anyway, it would be another matter. But he would not have been elected and, certainly, did not make anything close to full disclosure.I have unequivocally advised commissioner Lockhart that he should resign for the sake of Sandusky and his own good. He has declined to date. I continue to hope that, as others encourage him to do the same, he will listen to this advice. I would rather avoid a recall election for many reasons but fear that we are headed in that direction if his obstinacy continues.Sandusky city commissioner Dennis Murray Jr.Reach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel.