BRECKSVILLE, Ohio — Brecksville City Councilman Jack Petsche is now facing an Ohio ethics investigation after his company, USA Roofing, was awarded and performed on a $150,000 roofing contract on the cities new police station.
Brecksville Law Director Dave Matty told News 5 he believes Petsche did not adequately disclose to city leaders that his company was awarded the contract and may now face criminal charges for potentially violating state ethics law and the city charter.
Matty said he believes the contract to work on the police station is a huge conflict of interest.
“It is an ongoing criminal investigation and the city has received a subpoena concerning that investigation,” Matty said.
"The city charter clearly states that council members shall not solicit, shall not receive, shall not benefit on any contract for any work, for any contract for the City of Brecksville.”
Residents at the Brecksville Sept. 3 council meeting said they are concerned the councilman may have used his position to help him get the roofing contract.
Laura Pajestka told News 5 the councilman should not have had his roofing company involved in any city contracts.
“It’s very upsetting to all of us, we feel betrayed, we feel deceived, and it’s only the tip of the iceberg,” Pajestka said.
“Personally I believe he should have never even considered bidding on this job, let alone getting approved, and then not disclosing it to the residents and officials of the city.”
But Petsche maintains he's done nothing wrong and said city officials were aware that he is the principal owner of USA Roofing.
Petsche showed News 5 a 2017 document sent to the city from the general contractor, that had his company listed on the police station roofing job.
Petsche said he didn't make additional disclosure to city leaders because he considered the contract a private agreement between his company and the general contractor.
Petsche said the ongoing investigation is nothing more than politically motivated.
“It was brought up the very day that I signed the petitions to run for Mayor,” Petsche said.
“I did not use my influence to get this contract.”
“I didn't know a potential issue was there, I considered it a private contract with the general contractor.”
Petsche told everyone at the council meeting he would resign as council member and remove himself from the mayor's race if found guilty in the ethics investigation.
It's a promise some Brecksville residents, like Steve Sweetnich, hope Petsche will follow through on if Petsche is found guilty.
“Minimally Jack needs to stand-up before the city and apologize, and if it’s as bad as it seems to be, then he should resign,” said Sweetnich.
