Man charged with attempting to bribe Maumee official

A Maumee man is facing a charge of bribery following a series of text messages with the Maumee city administrator.

Daniel J. Cobb, 36, is accused of “attempting to improperly influence” Maumee City Administrator Patrick Burtch by threatening to spread or stop disinformation about the administrator unless he was offered a job, according to the affidavit.

In text messages sent Friday evening, copies of which were provided by the city of Maumee, Mr. Cobb wrote: “The easiest way to end it / silence the opposition lies with me. Not the money people like Denny. Not the groups like CMAC with the committee. The one they follow is me. Trust me, [I don’t know] why either. $80k a yr, $2500 sign on, and I need some proper dental work. So dental, good no limit dental.”

CMAC is Citizens of Maumee Action Committee, an organization that was formed in response to the city’s sewer issues.

Mr. Cobb was arrested Monday and booked into the Lucas County jail. He was arraigned on Tuesday, assigned a public defender, and released on his own recognizance. As a condition of his bond he is not allowed to have any contact with any Maumee city employee.