Toledo City Council Corruption Case – Businessman Sentenced to 2 Yrs Probation for His Involvement

A Toledo entrepreneur, who played a crucial role as an undercover informant for the FBI in a corruption case involving four Toledo City Council members, was sentenced to two years of probation on Monday for his involvement in a bribe that led to his collaboration with law enforcement.

Nabil Shaheen, aged 59, had pleaded guilty in May to aiding and abetting Hobbs Act extortion, which could have resulted in a maximum of six months in federal prison. However, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Helmick opted for a probationary term instead.

During the federal court proceedings in Toledo, Assistant U.S. Attorney Gene Crawford noted that Shaheen had contributed “dozens of recordings and other operations to the investigation of corruption on the city council.”

Judge Helmick, who presided over the trial of Gary Johnson, the only councilman maintaining innocence, expressed that Shaheen’s testimony appeared “truthful and credible,” aligning with the evidence presented in the case.

Regretful of his actions, Shaheen told the court, “I regret every minute of it. It was something I did not realize I could get in trouble for.” He acknowledged the FBI agents’ professionalism, stating, “I hold no grudge. I know they had to do their job.”

In May, Shaheen admitted to assisting in a bribery scheme involving a convenience-store owner paying former Councilman Tyrone Riley for a zoning permit vote in 2018. Federal prosecutors revealed that Shaheen and an individual identified as “Source 1” met with Riley to discuss the permit application, during which Riley requested a $2,000 bribe.

Shaheen’s cooperation extended to assisting the FBI in a sting operation, involving seeking zoning approval for an internet cafe in late 2019, during which he recorded conversations with city council members seeking payments for favorable votes.

Judge Helmick emphasized that Shaheen’s collaboration significantly reduced his potential sentence, mentioning that if he had not cooperated, he could have faced up to 20 years in prison.

The judge waived any fine in the case, except for a mandatory $100 special assessment to be paid to the federal Victims of Crime Fund.

Other council members, including Riley, Larry Sykes, and Yvonne Harper, had previously pleaded guilty to federal bribery charges, receiving prison terms. Gary Johnson, the councilman maintaining innocence, is scheduled for sentencing on January 25.