Prosecutor accuses comedian Ohio mayor of abusing power
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}FILE – In this Feb. 19, 2016, file photo, Hillsboro, Ohio, Mayor Drew Hastings, who is a veteran standup comedian, pauses during an interview at his office in Hillsboro, Ohio. (AP)
A prosecutor says a standup comedian who's appeared on late-night TV abused his power as mayor of an Ohio city, while the defense blames a political vendetta for the charges against him.
Testimony continues Wednesday in Hillsboro Mayor Drew Hastings' trial on four felony counts.
The Times-Gazette reports a special prosecutor from Ohio's auditor's office told jurors Tuesday that Hastings "thought the laws didn't apply to him."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A defense attorney says Hastings' political enemies were behind an investigation that began soon after his re-election to a second term last November, "as though a bell sounded."
The charges claim Hastings doesn't really live in Hillsboro, used city trash bins for personal use and improperly obtained a $500 building refund.
The city of 6,600 people is 60 miles east of Cincinnati.