ROCKY RIVER, OHIO (AP) -- THE MAYOR OF THIS CLEVELAND SUBURB RESIGNED AFTER PLEADING GUILTY TO ILLEGALLY HIRING HIS SON AND HIS BROTHER AT THE CITY'S WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT.

ROCKY RIVER, Ohio (AP) -- The mayor of this Cleveland suburb resigned after pleading guilty to illegally hiring his son and his brother at the city's wastewater treatment plant.
Mayor William Knoble's resignation Friday was part of a plea deal that also requires his relatives to leave their jobs in two weeks.
Knoble served on the management board for the plant with mayors from Westlake, Bay Village and Fairview Park.
Ohio law prohibits any elected official from authorizing or using influence to secure the employment of a family member within the public agency the official serves.
"I apologize to the residents of the city for whatever embarrassment I brought upon the community," Knoble said during a Friday court hearing.
Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Peter Corrigan sentenced Knoble to a $250 fine and a one-year jail sentence that was suspended as long as Knoble meets the terms of his probation.
"It is a sad day for the city of Rocky River," said Corrigan, a city resident. "It's sad to see your public service career end this way."
Knoble has agreed to help prosecutors with an ongoing investigation into nepotism at the plant. He will be succeeded by Council President Pam Bobst.