The Cuyahoga County grand jury indicted Mayor William Knoble Thursday on two misdemeanor counts of alleged improper use of a public office, said Jamie Dalton, spokeswoman for county Prosecutor William Mason.

Though the mayor was out of town at press time, his attorney, Michael Murman, said Knoble plans to resign his office as part of a deal with the prosecutor.

“It’s really unfortunate that he has to leave under these circumstances,” Murman said. “He’s a very honorable, ethical guy.”

Charges against the mayor were recommended by the Ohio Ethics Commission following an investigation into Knoble and Westlake Mayor Dennis Clough by the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office. Both men serve on the management board of the Rocky River wastewater treatment plant. Each also has relatives employed at the plant.

Knoble, who is in charge of hiring, brought on his son, Garrett, and brother, Kurt. Clough has five relatives at the plant, all of whom were hired after he became mayor in 1986.

Though Knoble is charged with misdemeanor offenses, he could have faced felony charges for having an alleged unlawful interest in a public contract, according to Assistant County Prosecutor Paul Soucie, who handled the case.

Knoble is expected to make a plea deal at his May 11 arraignment in exchange for the lesser charges, Soucie said.

“As part of the indictment, we have been in ongoing discussions with his representatives,” Soucie said.

He added that the talks resulted in Knoble agreeing to resign; to use his efforts to remove both his son and his brother; and to continue with the Prosecutor’s Office in an “ongoing investigation into Mayor Clough and to provide information and documents that he may have the ability to assist us with.”

Pam Bobst

Under the city’s charter, president and councilwoman at-large Pamela Bobst will serve as interim mayor for up to 60 days. Council can appoint another mayor in that time, or allow Bobst to serve the remainder of Knoble’s two-year term, which began Jan. 1.

Bobst said that, as of Monday, Knoble had not announced his resignation.

“It’s very saddening,” she added. But “it will not define his years in public service and all that he’s done for the city.”

His accomplishments included the implementation of a sewer correction program, the introduction of a rental conversion program for residents and keeping a constant watch on the city’s finances, Bobst said.

She added that Knoble has worked hard toward regional collaboration.

At-large councilwoman Linda  Bartolozzi told West Life she hoped the indictment does not overshadow Knoble’s work.                   

“I’m very sad to see this happen,” Bartolozzi said. “I think the mayor has done a lot of good work for the city. And I hope the positive contributions he has made for the city will be remembered.”

The mayor’s pending resignation was not mentioned until the very end of Monday evening’s council meeting when Bobst thanked the community for their words of encouragement during a difficult period.

Resident Fred Sokol, who made an unsuccessful bid against Knoble in the November election, is calling for city council to hold a special election for the soon-to-be-vacant office.

“It’s time Rocky River residents take responsibility and fix Rocky River city government’s way of doing the people’s business,” Sokol wrote in a release.

Lisa Durkin, fiscal services director of the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, told West Life a special election would cost Rocky River approximately $22,100.

Recognizing the city charter does not prescribe a special election, Sokol suggested the election be “nonbinding” to serve as a guide for council.

“The people would be able to give their opinion,” Sokol told West Life. “It’s giving the voters an opportunity to have their say.”

Bobst said the charter already provides for a course of action and that is to allow council the decision.

 “We’ve actually been through a similar situation,” Bobst said.

In 2001, Mayor Don Umerley died just a week after he was sworn in for a fifth term. City Council appointed its then-president, Knoble, to the post.

“That’s why we have a charter — to guide us during theses times,” Bobst said. “It very clearly states how this will be approached.”

Voters chose to return Knoble to the mayor’s office when his two-year appointment expired.

When asked if she would submit her name to council for consideration as the next mayor, Bobst said it was premature to say given that the mayor has not yet officially tendered his resignation.

Although the investigation of Knoble began last October, voters re-elected him in November over Sokol 70 to 30 percent.

While Knoble is expected to resign as part of the plea deal, Murman said the mayor didn’t need to be asked.

“Because of the embarrassment to the city, he just felt it was best that he step aside,” Murman said. “The mayor loves the city of Rocky River. He acknowledges he made a mistake and it’s a legal mistake and he is committed to doing the right thing.”

Dave Matty, who was the Rocky River law director until he lost the election in November, is now the wastewater treatment plant’s legal counsel. He has written a proposed hiring policy for plant employees and wants Rocky River to follow suit. The language was presented to council in April and members  have been discussing a policy of their own.

Matty’s policy would prohibit all public officials from hiring a family member for any position. It also would prevent officials from using influence to gain employment for a relative.

(Kevin Kelley contributed to this article.)