Basheer Jones, a former Cleveland city council member, faces charges related to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and honest services fraud. The allegations suggest that Jones used his position for personal gain by defrauding community stakeholders of over $200,000. During his tenure representing Ward 7, Jones reportedly engaged in fraudulent activities from December 2018 to June 2021.
Court documents indicate that Jones misled nonprofit organizations into financial arrangements that benefited him and his romantic partner. He is accused of directing funds intended for community projects into accounts controlled by his partner. These nonprofits were deceived into funding projects they believed would benefit the community, only for the money to be redirected elsewhere.
Jones allegedly advised nonprofits to hire a "consultant" for community outreach, knowing the consultant was his romantic partner who provided little service in return. One nonprofit paid $5,000 monthly based on this advice. Furthermore, Jones secured an additional $50,000 from the same nonprofit under false pretenses for a community event that never occurred.
In another scheme, Jones allegedly concealed his financial interests while seeking funds to rehabilitate properties. In one instance on Superior Road, he arranged for co-conspirators to acquire property at minimal cost and then pushed for city ordinances allocating funds to buy it back from them. When a nonprofit refused the purchase, he transferred the property through his partner's consulting business with plans to share profits.
Jones successfully obtained funds through another property sale where he misled a nonprofit about ownership details. His partner bought the property for $1 without settling a $40,500 demolition bill before reselling it for $45,000.
These charges are accusations at this stage; Jones is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court. If convicted, sentencing will consider various factors but will not exceed statutory limits.
The FBI Cleveland Division led this investigation alongside other federal agencies. Prosecutors Erica Barnhill and Elliot Morrison are handling the case in Ohio's Northern District.
Fraud reports can be submitted at justice.gov/action-center/report-crime-or-submit-complaint.