COLUMBUS – A former Franklin County official faces up to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud in connection with his work for a company bidding for a contract with the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
John Raphael admitted to taking bribes and kickbacks from a food-service company in exchange for official acts while he was a member of the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority board, which owned and operated the convention center, and its treasurer in 2014 and 2015, according to Acting United States Attorney Vipal Patel.
Raphael, 65, became a consultant for one of four companies bidding for a food service contract with the convention center in 2014, Patel said.
The company agreed to pay Raphael a monthly retainer of $5,000 and a “success fee” of $40,000 if the company was able to secure the contract. Two days after the company won the contract, Raphael sent an invoice for the $40,000 “success fee,” which Patel says the company paid.
In total, Patel says Raphael received $144,00 through the consulting agreement, Patel said.