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Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
East Cleveland mayor fires police chief: I-Team
EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio (WJW) — The FOX 8 I-Team has learned the East Cleveland police chief has been fired. His replacement could be named in the next few days. Mayor Lateek R. Shabazz wrote a letter to Acting Chief Kenneth Lundy informing him he has been terminated effective immediately. Lundy received the letter on Monday. Police: Woman exchanges gunfire with 2 suspects after spotting them on doorbell cam The letter states Lundy was not properly hired. 'The decision follows a comprehensive review that uncovered multiple violations of Ohio civil service laws and East Cleveland ordinances regarding his appointment and promotions,' a news release from the East Cleveland mayor's office states. 'According to the review, Mr. Lundy was originally appointed in June 2016 and promoted through the ranks of sergeant, lieutenant, captain, and, most recently, Acting Chief of Police on January 2, 2024 — none of which adhered to the required competitive civil service examinations. Additionally, East Cleveland's ordinances limit temporary classified appointments to no more than 180 days in a calendar year; Mr. Lundy's continuous service far exceeded that limit. The only unclassified police employee is a six-month beat patrol commissioned officer who is not authorized to be a member of a collective bargaining union.' Shabazz, on Monday afternoon, told reporters Lundy's lack of civil service testing opens the city up to liability. : 'In addition to your unlawful appointment and promotions, news that you became romantically involved with the girlfriend of a homicide suspect you were investigating, without disclosing your live-in relationship with her to Cuyahoga County prosecutors prosecuting the suspect, is not the mindset of someone I want managing police going forward,' the letter from the mayor to the chief states. 'The duties of police are to obey and enforce all the ordinances of the city, and the criminal laws of the state and United States pursuant to R.C. 737.11. Police do not disobey laws. I am demanding strict constitutional compliance and obedience to laws from all law enforcement personnel.' Offensive demonstrations cause outrage in Summit County Shabazz said the city expects to name a permanent police chief by the end of the week and suggested Lundy's successor could be someone promoted from within the department. 'When I came in, I promised to reform the police department and that's what I'm doing right now. That's the first step in getting this city back on track,' he said. 'Your police department and your school systems — that's what brings people to your city,' he continued. 'The school system is the next thing we're going to address. But the police is most important. I don't want people to think they don't have protection.' We reached out to Lundy to discuss the matter. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
I-Team: A $100,000 unclaimed funds nightmare
(WJW) — The FOX 8 I-Team has uncovered a big mystery surrounding a local man's attempt to collect savings bonds worth $100,000 through the state's unclaimed funds system. Everyone's talking about unclaimed funds, since lawmakers approved $600 million from that account to help the Cleveland Browns build a dome. Man wins 2 separate $1M lottery prizes after accidentally buying extra ticket But this case shows the frustration of some people saying they have trouble getting through unclaimed funds red tape. 'And, you know, are we ever gonna get this resolved, or is it something you've just got to forget about?' said Sam Tamburrino. 'They just tell you, 'You gotta call back in a month.'' Last year, Tamburrino, a local businessman, had his lawyer file a claim, trying to collect about $100,000 in U.S. Savings Bonds left behind in a safe deposit box after Tamburrino's mom and dad passed away. But, after all this time — nothing from the state. We watched as attorney Ed Hargate and Tamburrino called about their unclaimed funds, and we saw why they're frustrated. We heard Hargate say, 'I'm talking about the $100,000 in U.S. Savings Bonds.' And, 'So, when is it gonna be processed? When are you guys gonna have it?' And, 'It's not a different claim. It's not a different claim.' He told us, 'Every time I talk to them, 90% of the time it's not part of the claim, they tell me. And I tell them, 'I'm holding the claim in my hand.'' Since lawmakers approved unclaimed funds for the Browns, the state has been swamped with more people asking about unclaimed funds in their name. Last month, the state told us it is getting more people money more quickly. Yet we still hear complaints about red tape. Remember — Sam's case goes back to last year. Last month we spoke to Susie Wagner from the Ohio Department of Commerce, and we asked, 'Why do we still hear so many complaints from people saying, 'I can't get my money'?' Wagner said, 'We're administrators of the law, and we have to make sure it goes to the rightful owner.' Tamburrino also said, 'I think you need a new system.' I-Team: Investigation underway after fleeing suspect struck by Butler employee For this story, Mikaela Hunt, chief communications officer for the Department of Commerce, released a statement that said, in part: It's important to note in general that while some unclaimed funds are rather straightforward to process, there are occasions in which more complex scenarios, often times involving deceased individuals, may result in a delay of processing while we verify the legitimacy of the claimant's identity. Legal requirements necessitate specific documentation, and we are committed to preventing fraudulent claims. We deeply appreciate the family's patience and understanding during this process and your bringing this to our attention so we can make sure the family receives their rightly owned funds and property as soon as possible. Adding to the mystery, Tamburrino has been sorting through confusion between what was left in the bank safe deposit box and what was turned over to the state. We will update this story on FOX 8 and Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Yahoo
I-Team: Fireworks lit at street takeovers — where were police?
CLEVELAND (WJW) — The FOX 8 I-Team uncovered video of people celebrating the Fourth of July, with a crowd setting off fireworks in the middle of a busy street, causing chaos that went on for hours. So, we investigated the response by Cleveland police. Man killed at Summit County gas station after intervening in harassment A crowd shut down traffic on Miles Avenue, took over a busy park and even terrorized bus drivers. Video obtained by the I-Team shows a crowd gathered to watch fireworks going off in the street near East 110th Street and Miles Avenue. People blocked the streets, and that included using dumpsters and tents. It went on with no police in sight, yet the trouble had started hours earlier at a neighborhood park. A report shows a call for '200+' people in the park drinking and setting off fireworks. A caller also told police parents had to leave the splash pad area and the park because of this. One man on the block told us, 'It was ridiculous. The Fourth of July, it was terrible.' Police radio traffic shows an officer saying, '108 and Miles. It's gridlock going eastbound.' A dispatcher said, 'Supposedly, about 200 people out here, blocking streets off, jumping on RTA buses.' In fact, a police report shows a 'large group of people jumping on RTA buses' as they tried to get through. That report shows the neighborhood's desperation in calling police for help. One caller was an elderly female home alone. Dispatchers notified police supervisors about trouble there as early as 9:17 p.m. The scene wasn't cleared until close to midnight. Shooting at Mason CLC parking lot, more than a dozen injured We asked Cleveland Police Chief Dorothy Todd, 'How could no Cleveland police officer be available to go there for hours?' She responded, 'We can't have one zone car respond to address a crowd of 500-plus people. We had to make sure there was a plan to get several officers on site.' We also asked how big crowds go unnoticed by police until trouble starts. We've also also seen it in other cases. We asked, 'How is it that no police officer ever sees these large crowds of people?' The chief said, 'On a night like this, you're responding from call to call, to call, to call. You don't have an opportunity to just patrol your sectors, patrol your zone.' On Miles Avenue, the problem grew to a holiday takeover. The chief said two officers were hurt clearing that crowd. Records show at least one person was arrested. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
I-Team: Cleveland wants timeout in legal action against Browns
***Related video above: Browns, city of Cleveland battle in court*** CLEVELAND (WJW) – The FOX 8 I-Team has found the city of Cleveland asking a federal judge to 'hold all current deadlines in abeyance' in the pending lawsuit involving the Cleveland Browns' right to move to a dome in Brook Park. The new motion comes as fallout from changes approved this week to the Modell Law which restricts teams from moving. The Ohio House and Senate passed a measure that would now allow teams to move within the state. Months ago, in Cuyahoga County court, the city of Cleveland sued the Browns under the Modell Law to keep the team playing on the lakefront. I-Team: The Browns now own land in Brook Park to build dome The Browns had filed suit in federal court seeking to have that law declared unconstitutional. Friday, lawyers for the city filed motions in federal court asking the judge to suspend deadlines in the case. 'Following the Browns' (and their owners') relentless lobbying, this week the Ohio General Assembly passed new legislation that deprives Ohio citizens of $600 million that belongs to them and gives it to the Browns to build a new stadium in Brook Park while also amending the Modell Law,' the motion from Attorney Justin Herdman states. 'This proposed amendment to the Modell Law—the 'Haslam Law'—purports to rewrite the Modell Law to expressly state what the Browns have argued the statute means, contrary to its existing text. The bill awaits the Governor's action, which is anticipated at any moment.' Herdman, one of the attorneys representing the city, also stated in the motion that the proposed changes in the law raises questions about the viability of federal action because, '[i]n most cases, the repeal or amendment of a law moots challenges to the original law.' The changes to the Modell Law still have to be approved by the governor. Goodtime I ship stuck on Lake Erie reef; local captain helps passengers to safety Lawmakers this week also approved $600 million to go toward building the dome. While the city asked to have the federal legal action put on hold, the city filed another motion in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court and held out the possibility it would ultimately move ahead with its lawsuit against the Browns. The city accuses the Browns of breach of contract although the Browns said they would not move until their lease runs out after the 2028 season. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Yahoo
New Mexico man who sexually exploited Ashtabula 12-year-old is headed to prison
[Watch previous FOX 8 I-Team coverage in the player above.] CLEVELAND (WJW) — A New Mexico man who drove more than 1,600 miles from that state to kidnap and sexually exploit a 12-year-old Ashtabula girl was sentenced Monday, June 30, to 28 years in prison. Joseph Gunter, 41, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, pleaded guilty in February to sexual exploitation of a child and transportation of a minor with intent to engage in unlawful sexual activity, according to a news release from Carol Skutnik, acting U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Ohio. Local health care workers charged with Medicaid fraud The 12-year-old girl was reported missing the morning of Sept. 21, 2023, according to the release. A witness told authorities the girl had been communicating via a social media app with a person from Albuquerque, later identified as Gunter. Investigators said Gunter had been talking with the victim for months and the girl at one point deleted her account and made a new one to avoid him. Gunter reportedly found the new account and they began talking again. The morning of Sept. 21, 2023, the girl was out walking when Gunter drove up next to her and ordered her to get into his vehicle, threatening her with a gun, reads the release. He then took her out of state. When the girl didn't return home for two hours, her mother called deputies, the FOX 8 I-Team reported in 2023. On the drive to New Mexico, they stayed at multiple hotels where he 'proceeded to physically assault and repeatedly raped her,' reads the release. Planned Parenthood closes Cleveland facility; Cleveland Department of Public Health to fill gaps License plate-reading cameras spotted Gunter's car in Kentucky about 10 hours after she was reported missing, Ashtabula County Sheriff William Niemi told the I-Team in 2023. The alert went out to law enforcement officers nationwide. Authorities found Gunter's vehicle days later in Gray County, Texas, 'through a series of intensive and investigative efforts,' reads the release. They found the victim in his car as well as two firearms. 'We found her safe,' Niemi said. 'Thank God for that.' Upon his release, Gunter will be supervised for the rest of his life. He was also ordered to pay restitution of $5,000 into a fund that assists victims of child sexual abuse and $10,000 into a fund that assists human trafficking victims. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
