Ex-councilman, brother sentenced in graffiti case

2/18/2006

Former Toledo City Councilman Mike Ferner and his brother, John Ferner, both received suspended jail sentences, fines, probation, and community service yesterday for spray-painting antiwar slogans on two bridges over I-475/U.S. 23 in Maumee on New Year s Day.

Maumee Municipal Court Judge Gary Byers gave the brothers three years probation and 180-day suspended jail terms for convictions on two counts each of criminal damaging.

They also must pay $638 apiece in fines and court costs and perform 75 hours each of community service.

The criminal damaging charges were reduced from original felony vandalism and possession of criminal tools counts filed against the Ferners, who previously paid $1,207.24 in restitution for the Maumee graffiti.

The brothers were arrested after spray-painting a bridge in Sylvania Township the same morning the Maumee bridges were defaced.

John Ferner of Columbus pleaded no contest to criminal damaging in Sylvania Municipal Court on Jan. 19 and is to be sentenced May 18.

Mike Ferner of 2975 113th St. pleaded not guilty on Thursday in Lucas County Common Pleas Court to vandalism and possession of criminal tools.

He was scheduled for trial April 17 before Judge Charles Wittenberg.