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Police: FBI seized boxes from Cincinnati councilman

82 views · Published 11 January 2017 · 3:09 · Indexed 26 September 2026

Channel: LOCAL 12 · 2017 · News & Politics

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CINCINNATI (WKRC) - Cincinnati city council member claimed Thursday that someone was targeting him politically after word leaked that the FBI removed boxes belonging to his office from city hall.

"First of all, we don't know if the FBI was here and took some boxes," Winburn said Thursday afternoon.

But a person who works at city hall told Local 12 News that last week, two FBI agents visited the building. Cincinnati Police spokesperson Lt. Steve Saunders confirmed the FBI removed the boxes. Saunders said someone at the police department contacted the FBI after hearing about activity related to Winburn. Winburn said the boxes contained only desk clutter and old newspapers.

"What we do know is one of our staffers had boxes in a basement and nothing in there was illegal, immoral or unethical," said Winburn.

City spokesperson Rocky Merz issued the following statement Thursday:

"A situation regarding City property was recently brought to the attention of City officials. The City made an outside agency aware of the circumstances. As a result, additional information was requested and has been provided by the City.

A city spokesperson tells local 12 news a situation regarding city property recently developed so police were notified.

The city is not investigating the matter.

"The city solicitor could have resolved this by picking up the phone, calling me or my staffer to say 'look, there's some boxes in the basement what are these boxes all about?' And the city solicitor actually failed to do her job."

The city solicitor declined to comment Thursday.

Winburn cannot run again for a council seat in November because of term limits. On Tuesday evening, Winburn emphatically told Local 12 that he would not run for mayor. The next day, he pulled petitions to run for the seat. Winburn would not discuss his possible run Thursday but said the issue over the boxes was about politics.

Charlie Winburn: "I think it's politically motivated."

Angenette: "By whom?"

Charlie Winburn: "I'm sorry you weren't here for my full speech."

Angenette: "Ok, but by whom do you think?"

Charlie Winburn: "We will not tell you at this time but everybody knows who it is."

Winburn would not elaborate on who was responsible for leaking the story but he said he hopes the boxes are returned so he can show people what was in them. Meanwhile, the FBI would not comment on whether the boxes were seized.

If Winburn turns in the petitions he could face Mayor John Cranley, council member Yvette Simpson and Rob Richardson Junior in a primary.

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