Former Ohio lawmaker enters not-guilty plea

CINCINNATI (AP) — A former state legislator and southwest Ohio county commissioner has pleaded not guilty to federal fraud and tax charges.

Attorneys for Michael A. Fox entered the written pleas Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Cincinnati.

Prosecutors say Fox solicited and took money from contractors to secure Butler County contracts while he was a county commissioner, following more than two decades in the Ohio House. Fox is charged with mail fraud, conspiracy, and filing a false tax return.

Prosecutors allege Fox took nearly $500,000 in kickbacks in exchange for helping Columbus area attorney Robert Schuler get a multimillion-dollar county contract for his business. Schuler has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy, filing a false tax return and perjury.