Pre-trial conference delayed for two charged in public corruption case

Pre-trial conferences have been rescheduled for two people indicted as part of the federal investigation of Dayton region public corruption but their Nov. 9 trial before U.S. District Judge Thomas M. Rose will not be delayed, according to his office.

Germantown businessman Steve R. Rauch, 65, and former Trotwood Mayor Joyce Sutton Cameron, 71, both had pleaded not guilty to multiple charges. Their pre-trial conferences scheduled for this Friday were moved by the court to Nov. 6 due to a conflict with an unrelated jury trial, said Liz Penski, courtroom deputy.

Both docket entries indicated that plea hearings could also be held that day and Penski said that time was set aside should they choose to change their not guilty pleas.

“Mr. Rauch is not considering a plea at this time,” said Rauch’s attorney, Chad Ziepfel.

Sutton Cameron and her attorney could not be reached. Jennifer Thornton, spokeswoman for U.S. Attorney Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio David M. DeVillers declined comment.

Sutton Cameron and co-defendant Rauch pleaded not guilty after being indicted last year along with James Cameron, 81, who is Sutton Cameron’s husband and employed by her Green Star Trucking. James Cameron has not yet appeared in court or made a plea.

Rauch owns Steve Rauch Inc., SRI and Rauch Trucking. He and the Camerons were each indicted on one of count conspiracy to commit mail fraud and six counts of mail fraud, all felonies.

The indictment alleges that Rauch used Green Star’s minority-owned status to win demolition contracts from the city of Dayton and other government entities between 2012 and 2014, years that Sutton Cameron was Trotwood mayor.

Rauch and the Camerons are accused of producing false documentation to make it appear Green Star had done work that Rauch had done, and Rauch is accused of paying them a fee or forgiving debt rather than paying them the amount called for in the contract, according to the indictment.

Seven people were indicted in the federal investigation. Former Dayton City Commissioner Joey D. Williams, former state Rep. Clayton Luckie and former Dayton city employee RoShawn Winburn were convicted after pleading guilty and sentenced to prison. Dayton businessman Brian Higgins pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.


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