Mayfield Heights mayor resigns amid ethic violations investigation

MAYFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio - Mayfield Heights Mayor Greg Costabile will resign effective Feb. 1, according to a news release from his office. 

"It's time that I refocus my time and energies on other aspects of my life," Costabile said.

Mayfields Heights Law Director Leonard Carr said the mayor has been under investigation related to financial disclosures to the Ohio Ethics Commission.

Carr said Costabile is working on a plea deal with Cuyahoga County prosecutors. A spokesperson for the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office and the Ohio Ethics Commission declined to comment on the investigation.

Carr said the mayor failed to disclose the amount of money he received from two companies doing business with the city of Mayfield Heights.

NewsChannel5 investigators obtained ethics reports related to the investigation. The two reports show Costabile did not record the amount of money he has received from a gas well lease with Seagull Development Corporation.

Carr also said Costabile failed to report how much he received from a developer who bought land located behind his home.

"I'm totally thrown by that," said Mary-Ellen Ross-Orlando, a Mayfields Heights resident who lives down the street from Costabile. 

"I can't imagine it happening because I felt he's a good mayor. He does good things for the citizens of this community, " she said.

"Greg loves this city and it's a shame what has happened," said former councilman Ron Kobunski. He said Costabile is a nice guy who may have made bad choices. 

"When you're in politics, you know, you have to be honest with people. You know you gotta let 'em know. You can't feel that you're better than you're neighbor next door," he said.

NewsChannel5 investigators repeatedly attempted to contact Costabile Thursday. No one answered the door at his home and he did not return our phone calls.

Council President Anthony DiCicco will fill the mayor's seat when his resignation takes effect next month.