Miami Valley corruption cases: Who is Mike Fox?

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

It’s been almost three months since a long-term federal investigation into suspected corruption in the Dayton area resulted in federal charges against four men, including a former Dayton city commissioner.

RELATED: Ex-Dayton commissioner, state lawmaker arrested; more arrests coming, feds say

While one of the men, former state Rep. Clayton Luckie, pleaded guilty to mail fraud earlier this month, the investigation is ongoing for former City Commissioner Joey D. Williams, former Huber Heights Councilman RoShawn Winburn and Dayton businessman Brian Higgins.

News Center 7's I-Team looked into the Dayton corruption case to learn more about investigative techniques used and what it's like to be under a FBI investigation. Tune in at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 25.

The case isn’t the Miami Valley region’s first corruption probe. Nearly a decade ago former Butler County  commissioner and state Rep. Mike Fox was indicted for improperly benefiting from a contract with a fiber optics firm. Fox is not involved in the Dayton corruption probe.

RELATED: 6 local politicians and their troubles with the law

Here’s three things you should know about Fox and his case:

1) Who is Mike Fox?

Mike Fox is a former Butler County politician who was first elected to the Statehouse in 1975. More than 20 years later, he became a Butler County commissioner before moving to Butler County Children Services as director from 2007-2009.

RELATED: Michael Fox talks about ‘humbling’ prison experience

2) What was he indicted on?

In October 2009, Fox was indicted for improperly benefiting from a $2.75 million contract with NORMAP to build Butler County’s fiber optics network.

3) What was result of the case?

Fox pleaded to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and filing a false tax return in 2017. As part of his plea deal, he agreed to spend up to four years in prison.

RELATED: Fox pleads guilty to federal fraud charges, faces 4 years in prison

“Mr. Fox is not pleading guilty to accepting bribes or kickbacks, or to depriving the people of Butler County of his honest services as a public official,” Fox’s attorney attorney, Ralph Kohnen, said at the time. “Any other accusations ... will remain unproven.”