<font face='verdana' size='1' color =#CC0000><b> * NEW * </b></font> Best resigns Toledo real estate post

3/15/2005

Steven Best, the city of Toledo s commissioner of real estate, resigned today, more than a week after his bosses learned he had referred $1.7 million in city-related business to a real estate broker with whom he had a professional relationship.

In his letter of resignation, Mr. Best said his resignation was in everyone s best interests.

Mayor Ford said the resignation ends all administration and ethics investigations into Mr. Best s dealings.

Mr. Best, who started his $75,000-a-year job with the city in August, 2003, had kept his real estate license active with Century 21 Kasten Realty.

He used the realty company to help find a 35-acre site in North Toledo for the city police tow lot and to broker a land deal for a Jaguar car dealership in Sylvania Township that had been referred to his office for help finding a site.

Officials said they did not believe Mr. Best personally benefited from the real estate referrals.

Read more in later editions of The Blade and toledoblade.com.