Rebecca C. Lutzko United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio
Jonathan Leissler, a former Ohio Senate candidate from Stow, was sentenced on April 9 to four years in federal prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud charges involving the theft of more than $4.4 million from his employer and a local police organization.
The case highlights the consequences of financial crimes committed by individuals in positions of trust, especially when such actions impact organizations intended to support public service and community members.
According to court documents, Leissler began working as chief financial officer for an industrial supply company in Warrensville Heights in March 2022. Despite earning a six-figure salary, he created fake payroll records and added unauthorized bonuses and commissions to his paychecks. Over nearly three years, investigators found that he stole approximately $3.8 million across 70 pay periods.
Leissler also used company credit cards to make over $700,000 in donations to his own campaign during his unsuccessful run for the Ohio Senate in November 2024. When confronted about these charges by his employer, Leissler processed refunds through an online fundraising platform but changed the linked bank account so that the platform itself bore responsibility for refund amounts.
In addition, while serving as treasurer for a local fraternal order of police (FOP) organization, Leissler wrote checks to himself and withdrew cash using FOP funds—ultimately stealing more than $50,000 on 69 occasions. This sum represented about 80% of funds set aside for scholarships benefiting children of police officers.
Federal investigators determined that Leissler spent the stolen money on private plane travel, real estate purchases in South Carolina, mortgage payments, vehicles, cryptocurrency mining equipment, and business ventures.
Assistant United States Attorney Megan R. Miller prosecuted the case following an investigation by the FBI Cleveland Division.
