Jonathan Leissler, a former Ohio Senate candidate from Stow, was sentenced on April 9 to four years in federal prison for embezzling millions of dollars from his employer and a local fraternal police organization. U.S. District Judge Pamela A. Barker handed down the sentence after Leissler pleaded guilty in December 2025 to three counts of wire fraud. In addition to his prison term, Leissler must serve three years of supervised release and pay $4,421,154.54 in restitution.
The case highlights the misuse of entrusted funds by individuals in positions of financial responsibility and the impact such actions can have on organizations and communities.
According to court documents, Leissler began working as chief financial officer for an industrial supply company in Warrensville Heights in March 2022. Investigators said that within his first month on the job, he created fake payroll records that allowed him to add unauthorized bonuses and payments to his salary—ultimately stealing $3.8 million over 70 pay periods by November 2024.
Leissler also used company credit cards to make donations totaling more than $700,000 toward his own campaign during the November 2024 general election through an online fundraising platform. When confronted about these charges by his employer, he processed refunds but had already changed the bank account connected with the fundraising platform so that it could not be recovered.
In addition to defrauding his employer, Leissler stole over $50,000 from a local fraternal order of police organization while serving as its treasurer—an amount representing about 80% of funds meant for scholarships for children of police officers. Federal investigators found that he spent embezzled money on luxury travel via private planes, purchasing a vacation property in South Carolina, paying mortgages and credit card bills, buying vehicles and cryptocurrency mining equipment, and starting a business.
The FBI Cleveland Division conducted the investigation into these activities. Assistant United States Attorney Megan R. Miller prosecuted the case.
