Lobbyist faces sentencing for complicity

CLEVELAND (AP) -- Prosecutors have recommended jail time for a Republican lobbyist who admitted helping a rogue stockbroker gain state investment business.
Andy Futey, 38, of suburban North Royalton, faces sentencing Monday on his guilty plea to a misdemeanor complicity charge.
The charge contends that the former chief of staff for state Treasurer Joseph Deters placed Frank Gruttadauria on a list of preferred brokers with Futey's help.
Gruttadauria is serving a seven-year sentence for bilking clients out of $125 million. He pleaded guilty in March to state charges and agreed to cooperate with a grand jury investigation.
Court records show Gruttadauria spent $11,640 on meals and trips for Deters and his associates and raised $110,000 for Deters' GOP campaign.
In court filings, prosecutors said Futey provided Gruttadauria the "key to the door" to Deters' office, enabling the broker's employer to obtain state trades.
Deters' spokeswoman, Lisa Hackley, said the treasurer would not comment on the case until after Futey's sentencing. Deters has denied all wrongdoing in the case and has not been charged.