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Middleburg Heights mayor vetoes hiring of special counsel

Middleburg Heights Mayor Gary Starr is fighting to keep city council from investigating city spending and the details of lawsuits filed by former employees against him.
Credit: Mike Leonard, WKYC

The longest serving mayor in Ohio is in the biggest political battle of his life.

Middleburg Heights Mayor Gary Starr is fighting to keep city council from investigating city spending and the details of lawsuits filed by former employees against him.

The council recently voted to hire an outside attorney to investigate, but late Thursday, Mayor Starr vetoed their vote.

It comes after a series of reports WKYC has aired on activities going on in Middleburg Heights, including Starr's son Peter being connected with an armored car theft. Police tried to question Peter Starr, who refused to cooperate and was eventually cleared of wrongdoing.

There has also been controversy over Mayor Starr's hiring of a safety director who lives in North Carolina.

Council President Matthew Castelli says he's "concerned there is this much resistance to our trying to be informed.”

Middleburg Heights City Council is reviewing the legality of Starr's move. But it can override the veto with 5 votes.

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