Jeffrey D. Johnson (born April 10, 1958) is an American politician and attorney who served as a member of Cleveland City Council for Ward 10 from 2014 to 2018. Johnson served as councilman for Ward 8 from 1984 to 1990 and as a member of the Ohio Senate from 1990 to 1998. Early life and education Johnson was raised in the Collinwood neighborhood and graduated from Collinwood High School. He holds a bachelor's degree in communications from Kent State University and a Juris Doctor and a master's degree in political science from Case Western Reserve University. Career Johnson was seen as a rising star in the Democratic Party in the 1990s, and announced his candidate to replace retiring Representative Louis Stokes in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1998. A few weeks after his announcement, however, he was indicted on federal charges of extortion. FBI agents said between 1994 and 1996 Johnson accepted $17,000 in campaign contributions and personal loans in exchange for using his influence to land state licenses for grocers. He was convicted in November 1998 and began his sentence in 2000 after losing an appeal, serving 15 months in prison and a halfway house. Cleveland City Council In 1984, Johnson was appointed as Councilman for Ward 8 as then-councilman Michael White was appointed to the Ohio State Senate. Johnson was then elected as the Ward 8 Councilman 90 days later and re-elected in 1985 and 1989. Johnson was co-sponsor of the city's first Fair Housing Law and led the successful effort to establish Cleveland's Sex Crime and Child Abuse Investigative Unit in the Cleveland Police Department. During his tenure, the Ward 8 Glenville neighborhood received new economic and housing development projects including the Glenville Plaza, Eastside Market and Abyssinia Towers, a senior citizen apartment complex. Johnson was recognized and honored for his public service by local community groups. Ohio Senate Johnson became an Ohio State Senator In January 1990 when he was appointed to the Senate following Senator White's election win for Mayor of Cleveland. During his nine years as Senator, Johnson sponsored a law creating the Ohio Infant Health Commission, and co-sponsored diverse legislation covering major issues including workplace discrimination, education reform, economic development, criminal justice reform and more. He led the successful fight to keep Central State University open in 1997 while serving as President of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus (OLBC). In 1998, Johnson