Law director addresses council president’s arrest

Randy Klammer discusses the charges against John Meyers during a recent council meeting.

In light of the recent reports surrounding Eastlake City Council President John Meyers, the city’s biggest concern is protecting the dignity of the process going forward, according to city Law Director Randy Klammer.

The Northeast Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force, alongside the Wickliffe Police Department and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, arrested six men for allegedly attempting to buy sex.

Meyers, 57, was among those men and was charged with solicitation, according to a news release.

An announcement made on Feb. 21 by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Lake County Sheriff Frank Leonbruno followed.

“There’s a lot of residents watching the recent news reports regarding Meyers,” Klammer said during a recent council meeting where Meyers was not present. “With regard to the recent stories, our biggest concern at this point is protecting the dignity of the process going forward whether that be in court or in front of council.

“In that regard, I don’t want to strap council, but I’ve asked them to not make comments to make sure we don’t influence those receiving one way or the other while the matter proceeds forward.”

The News-Herald reached out to Meyers for comment but did not receive an immediate response.

Carolyn Kinkoph, co-founder and volunteer for the Lake County Collaborative to End Human Trafficking, was among those who attended the council meeting. She is currently a doctoral candidate at Cleveland State University.

“My husband’s a lifelong resident of Eastlake as are my children,” Kinkoph said. “My daughter was a human trafficking victim, I am a survivor mother and I’m happy to answer any questions.”

Kinkoph provides educational opportunities should anyone wish to learn more about human trafficking.

“I’ve spoken for the Ohio Attorney General’s summit, schools, community members, churches and individual organizations,” she said.

“I would be happy to do a presentation either in close quarters or to the public.”

The Northeast Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force, led by the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department, is one

of six law enforcement collaboratives formed under Yost’s Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission, which is directed at combating human trafficking.

In the recent sting, the task force additionally identified

four potential victims of human trafficking, who were offered social services.

Meyers is currently out on a $5,000 bond.

A Willoughby Municipal Court docket indicates he entered a not guilty plea on Feb. 22.