DUBLIN, Ohio—Columbus police have charged a former member of Governor Ted Strickland’s staff with seven felonies, involving a prostitution ring.
Robert Eric McFadden, who until October of 2007 was head of Strickland’s Office of Faith-Based Initiatives, was arrested Wednesday morning in Dublin.
Police said they believe McFadden was “Toby,“ the man they have been looking for during the past two months after busting up a prostitution ring from a home on Front Street in which prostitutes were raffled off on Craig’s List.
They said he was one of the main organizers and the “guru” of Columbus prostitution, writing reviews of their services and advising Johns on how not to get caught.
An employee of the OSU School of Nursing and an employee of Franklin County Children Services was arrested at that time.
McFadden was being charged with seven felonies, including pandering obscenities involving a minor, promoting prostitution and compelling prostitution.
Police said the number of charges could rise to 15.
Police also said McFadden was the go-to guy in Columbus when it came to prostitution.
Police said McFadden was involved in Columbus prostitution for about six years and was also widely known in Democratic politics and Catholic politics as the leader of Central Ohio’s Catholics for Clinton during the last primary election.
McFadden appeared in court Thursday and a local judge set bond at $150,000.
