Corrections officer fired

9/25/2007

A Lucas County corrections officer accused of accepting money from an undercover police officer to deliver marijuana and tobacco to an inmate Sept. 15 while in uniform was fired yesterday, said Rob Sarahman, an internal affairs investigator in the sheriff's office.

Edward F. Drane, 43, of 251 Graham St., was charged last week by internal affairs investigators with conduct unbecoming an officer, dishonesty, malfeasance, withholding evidence and information, and possession of drugs.

The review board of three officers in the sheriff's office recommended Mr. Drane be fired based on the evidence uncovered in an internal investigation, Mr. Sarahman said.

Mr. Drane, a corrections officer since 1999 who was paid an annual salary of $43,430, is scheduled to appear in Toledo Municipal Court Thursday on a felony bribery charge.

Authorities said Mr. Drane met an undercover officer after his work shift about 3:40 p.m. in the back of a parking lot across from the jail near 1700 Canton Ave.

Authorities received information that led them to investigate Mr. Drane, but have no evidence he was working with any other jail employees.

Mr. Drane is the third county corrections officer to lose a job there in the last three months.

Corrections officer Seth Bunke resigned July 14 while being interviewed by internal investigators about a physical altercation with an inmate.

Mr. Bunke was to appear before a disciplinary committee for two physical confrontations that occurred May 5 and May 6, but resigned prior to the hearing.

A few days later, Sheriff James Telb fired Teresha Clayborne after she was caught on a jail surveillance camera punching handcuffed inmate Robin Watson twice in the kidney area on April 28, according to documents provided by the sheriff's office.