Ex-councilwoman pleads not guilty to wire fraud charges

CINCINNATI (AP) — A former Cincinnati city councilwoman who was indicted on multiple charges including wire fraud, bribery and attempted extortion pleaded not guilty Monday.

Tamaya Dennard, 40, will be allowed to remain out of jail on a bond that doesn’t require her to post money up front, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported. Dennard is accused of attempting to trade votes for money between August and December 2019. She asked an attorney for between $10,000 and $15,000 for personal expenses, prosecutors said.

In November, Dennard sent a text message to the attorney saying, “I could really use your help. It’s kind of urgent to get it today. Happy to help you. But need yours too,” according to the indictment.

Dennard was arrested by FBI agents Feb. 25 and released the same day. She resigned from the council on March 2.

A grand jury in U.S. District Court in Cincinnati handed down the indictment against Dennard on Wednesday.

The next day, Dennard posted on Facebook that many people were assuming she was guilty without hearing her side.

“At the core of social justice is the presumption of innocence,” Dennard wrote. “People have heard one side of a situation and sealed my fate.”

Dennard faces a maximum sentence of 20 years on each wire fraud charge and 10 years on each bribery and attempted extortion charge.