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Ohio House Speaker Calls for Beck’s Resignation

Top leaders of his own party are calling for the resignation of Republican State Representative Peter Beck.  But Beck plans to fight the charges and stay in office.

Ohio House Speaker Bill Batchelder is calling on his Republican colleague to resign. This push comes after State Representative Peter Beck was indicted on several counts of securities fraud and theft.

In his statement, Batchelder said Beck, of the Cincinnati area, has served the Ohio House honorably but added that it would be in everyone’s best interest if the representative left office.

Ohio Republican Party Chairman Matt Borges echoed the speaker’s call for Beck’s resignation.

However, Konrad Kircher, Beck’s lawyer, says the representative is not stepping down.

“Mr. Beck does not intend to resign," says Kircher. "He respects the input he’s been getting but he feels he can very competently represent his constituents while defending these unfounded charges.”

Kircher added that in the end the evidence is in Beck’s favor.

“The charges are just allegations at this point they are not convictions. There is a high standard of proof in this case beyond a reasonable doubt and we believe that after our evidence comes forth that Mr. Beck will be acquitted,” says Kircher.

Beck is chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, a legislative panel with many roles which includes regulating and revising Ohio’s tax code.

If found guilty, he could be sentenced to prison for more than 100 years.