Ex-Ohio State Trooper Pleads Guilty To Wire, Bankruptcy Fraud

A former Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court on Monday to felony counts of mortgage fraud, bankruptcy fraud and witness tampering.

FBI agents arrested Benjamin W. Richardson on Sept. 6 and was in custody since his arrest, according to prosecutors.  Richardson, 46, of Powell, was a trooper with the Ohio State Highway Patrol when he was charged and resigned when the charges were returned.

Prosecutors said that he bought homes under false pretenses, received $46,000 in kickbacks and then lied about his income while he was living a lifestyle filled with cash and fancy cars, 10 Investigates’ Paul Aker reported.

When 10 Investigates first broke the story about Drug Enforcement Agency agents raiding his home, he said that the government was mistaken.

“We were ready to try the case and we’re satisfied with the plea today,” said U.S. Attorney Doug Squires.

As part of his plea deal, Richardson agreed to help the federal government.  In exchange, prosecutors promised not to pursue a drug investigation against him, Aker reported.

Richardson co-owned a nightclub with an alleged drug dealer, Bobby Ferguson, prosecutors said.

They said that Richardson is connected to another drug dealer who was connected to the nightclub.  He was stopped with $1 million in a duffle bag and immediately called Richardson, Aker reported.

According to prosecutors, Richardson later met the man in a Waffle House parking lot and told him to lie to investigators.

Prosecutors said that it was too early to say what else Richardson knows or how his cooperation could help them.

Richardson was being held without bond, in solitary confinement until his sentencing, Aker reported.

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