Newly elected Ohio lawmaker pleads not guilty to felony charges

PORT CLINTON, Ohio (AP) — A newly elected state lawmaker from northern Ohio has pleaded not guilty to felony charges alleging he took antiques and other items from a home.

Republican Steven Kraus appeared in an Ottawa County courtroom Thursday and pleaded not guilty to felony charges of burglary, breaking and entering and theft.

Kraus won a seat in the Ohio House in November by defeating Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern.

Kraus is accused of taking items from a home in Port Clinton earlier this year. His former attorney has said that Kraus, who is an auctioneer, was asked by a real-estate agent selling the home to take the items and inventory them for auction.

Kraus and his new attorney declined to comment after Thursday’s hearing.