Former Ohio Candidate Pleads Guilty in $460K Fraud

Youngstown businessman Brandon Kovach pleaded guilty to five felony charges tied to misappropriating $460,000 from an investor. Prosecutors say he persuaded the individual to invest between August 2019 and December 2021, then used the funds for personal needs. The charges include telecommunications fraud, aggravated theft, securing writings by deception, money laundering and grand theft. A judge ordered Kovach to deposit $8,000 toward restitution by Jan. 15, 2027, and scheduled sentencing for April 15, 2027. The Ohio Division of Securities led the investigation.