By April Rodgers, Content Coordinator | FreeWire—Your News, Your Voice
BUCYRUS — City Law Director Brandon Gobrecht is calling out what he describes as political retaliation, saying the upcoming residency hearing against him is not only baseless, but already costing the city time, money, and justice.
“It is fun to laugh at this residency nonsense, however it does have a real cost to the City of Bucyrus,” Gobrecht said in a statement to FreeWire.
The challenge claims Gobrecht does not live at his registered address on East Southern Avenue — an allegation he has already countered by explaining that the home is undergoing renovations and currently without water due to construction.
Now, he says the legal process has been disrupted.
“As a direct result of this nonsense, the 16 or so criminal prosecution hearings that I had on Monday had to be continued since I have been double booked against my will. As a direct result, one of the criminal cases, with a victim involved, was dismissed.”
The situation has also forced the city to bring in outside legal help.
“Apparently our council president has issued subpoenas for multiple City employees and officials to testify during this hearing he has orchestrated. Normally, the Law Director should be present whenever any City employee or official is testifying to protect them, as well as the interests of the City. As a result of this nonsense being directed at me, we have had to contract with outside Counsel to be present to do what is supposed to be my job, which I already get paid for.”
Gobrecht pointed to the financial implications as especially troubling, given the state of the city’s budget.
“It's sad; we're broke and actively being accused of spending recklessly here at the City by the very person orchestrating a vendetta against a Law Director that wouldn't bow down to him.”
He concluded:
“Besides a victim having their case dismissed and a legal bill for the City, I wonder what else this tomfoolery will cost?”
The hearing is set for Monday, June 16 at 9 AM at the Crawford County Board of Elections. As FreeWire previously reported, officials say the hearing’s scope is limited to voter eligibility and does not directly affect Gobrecht’s position as law director.
FreeWire will provide full coverage of the hearing and any developments that follow.
