According to prosecutors, Fox allegedly took $460,000 in kickbacks in exchange for helping Robert C. Shuler, a Columbus-area attorney, land a multimillion-dollar county contract for his business.
Fox is also charged with mail fraud, conspiracy and filing a false tax return.
Shuler is Fox’s co-defendant in the case and has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy, filing a false tax return and perjury.
With the written plea, the scheduled arraignment Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 18, was canceled.
On Aug. 4, prosecutors amended the indictment against Fox to refer to his actions as “a bribery and kickback scheme.”
Fox’s attorneys, Ralph Kohnen and Aaron Herzig, have claimed the entire case is a politically-motivated attack. Fox has spent more than 30 years as a state legislator, county commission and Butler County Children Services director.
It is uncertain when the case will go to trial. U.S. District Judge Sandra Beckwith granted order earlier this month to stay the original Oct. 4 trial date.
Kohnen did not offer any additional comments concerning the written plea. But he said there will be additional conferences to determine future court proceedings and a trial date.
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