Lobbyist pleads guilty in Ohio treasury scheme

COLUMBUS (AP) — Federal authorities say an Ohio attorney and lobbyist has pleaded guilty to his role in a kickback scheme at the state treasurer’s office in which a former deputy treasurer also has been charged.

Mohammed Noure Alo entered his plea to a wire fraud charge today in U.S. District Court. The 35-year-old Alo faces up to 20 years in prison.

Alo admitted that between January 2009 and January 2011 he conspired with his friend Amer Ahmad and others to use Ahmad’s role as Ohio’s then-deputy treasurer to direct state brokerage services to a Canton-based broker in exchange for more than $123,000 in personal payments.

Ahmad was indicted on fraud, money laundering, conspiracy and other charges in August. He has pleaded not guilty. His trial begins in March.