Ex-Lawmaker Accused Of Taking Bribes

Former Ohio Rep. Donald “Buz” Lukens was arrested Thursday on charges of taking bribes from two businessmen who were fighting to keep their trade school in the federal student loan program.

An indictment unsealed in U.S. District Court accused Lukens, a Republican, of bribery and conspiracy to misuse his public office.

He was arrested in Dallas. John Fitzpatrick of Middletown, Ohio, one of the businessmen, was arrested in Kent, Ohio.

“There is no way on God’s green earth that he is guilty of bribery by Mr. Fitzpatrick,” said Lukens’ lawyer, Harvey Volzer. “He will plead not guilty. He will be defending it to the fullest extent.”

Lukens contacted the U.S. Education Department on the school’s behalf, the indictment said.

The money, $27,500, allegedly changed hands in 1990, just months before Lukens resigned from Congress rather than face an announced ethics committee probe of a second allegation of sexual misconduct. He had been convicted earlier in connection with a sexual encounter with a 16-year-old and was defeated for renomination.