COLLIER COUNTY, Florida — An Ohio lobbyist who was charged in connection with a federal corruption case was found dead in Florida, according to our news partners at WBNS-TV.
Investigators in Collier County, Florida confirmed they are investigating the death of Neil Clark.
The medical examiner’s office told WBNS-TV that Clark’s body was in their possession and that an autopsy is being conducted.
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According to a report sent to our news partners, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, said the body was discovered by a passerby around 11:30am on Monday near the Lucas County Line. The report indicated that the body has a head wound. WBNS-TV stated the report indicated a firearm was found near the body.
The report went on to say that Clark had not been heard from for a couple of hours. His wife told authorities that there had been some financial issues, WBNS-TV reported.
Clark pleaded not guilty last fall to a federal racketeering charge stemming from the public corruption scandal that involved Ohio House Bill 6.
News Center 7 has been following the investigation into the corruption scandal for the last year. According to federal authorities, Clark and four other men are accused of accepting $61 million in bribery payments in an effort to ensure that an energy bill be passed that would keep two nuclear power plants from closing. Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder was one of the four other men accused.
Former Ohio Republican Chairman Matt Borges also pleaded not guilty. Juan Cespedes and Jeff Longstreth both pleaded guilty in the case.
Cox Media Group
