CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio (WJW) – The FOX 8 I-Team has found a local mayor spent taxpayer money on artwork for city hall, even as he was under investigation and getting forced out of office.
The I-Team obtained copies of former Cleveland Heights Mayor Kahlil Seren’s credit card statements after filing a public records request. The statements show the mayor spent more than $12,500 on the artwork. One purchase was $10,500, according to city records.
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The artwork was bought just weeks before Seren was booted out of office in a recall vote. The artwork is still boxed up and sitting in city hall.
“The city became aware of two pieces of artwork purchased on the former mayor’s credit card during a routine review of statements,” a city spokesperson told the I-Team. “The purchase was made on August 22. The finance department is currently investigating the origin of three other pieces of art purchased on July 14. None of the artwork is on display, and all of it is being stored in its original packaging. The appropriate and ethical handling of these purchases is being considered.”
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We did reach out to Seren but he has not yet responded to our requests to discuss the matter…