Weddington was first elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in November 2008. Weddington is the 27^th District House Representative.

By TED HART

Courtesy of Ohio-votes.com

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio Representative Carlton Weddington, (D), Columbus, will resign after he's indicted on felony counts of bribery and election falsification.

The charges were filed Tuesday morning in Franklin County as a result of a lengthy FBI investigation at the Ohio Statehouse.

Representatives of the FBI and the Franklin County prosecutor's office discussed specifics of the case at a morning press conference.

The indictment alleges Weddington received cash and all expense-paid trips to South Beach Miami, Fla., and Napa Valley, Calif. during 2011, as well as checks and cash for campaign contributions in exchange for influence in his official duties as a state rep.

The charges filed against him include bribery, a third-degree felony; election falsification, a fifth-degree felony and filing a false ethics disclosure statement, a first-degree misdemeanor.

The charges carry a maximum prison sentence of four-and-a-half years.

Authorities told NBC4 other charges may be filed against Weddington.

One count in the indictment charges Weddington made false statements in the "Committee to Elect Weddington" 2011 annual campaign finance report filed with the Ohio Secretary of State’s office. It is alleged that the report falsely states the contributions and expenditures that were received by him and the committee, as well as the total figures for that campaign finance report.

The indictment also charges Weddington with filing a false 2011 ethics financial disclosure report with the Joint Legislative Ethics Committee, a report that all members of the General Assembly must file. Weddington allegedly failed to disclose gifts, travel, and lodging expenses that are required by law to be listed on that financial disclosure form.

FBI agents approached Representative Weddington after the false financial disclosure report was filed in February 2012.

Weddington's resignation was sought because the legislature is returning from a recess and was to resume legislative sessions. It was agreed Weddington should not participate.

Also, Weddington will withdraw his candidacy for re-election and request that his name be removed from the November ballot.

The FBI said Weddington has been debriefed by FBI agents prior to his indictment and he will continue to cooperate while the terms of a final agreement are negotiated by his attorney Sam Shamansky and the prosecutor's office.

Weddington was first elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in November 2008. Weddington is the 27^th District House Representative.

He previously served as a member of the Columbus Board of Education.

He currently serves as a member of the Criminal Justice committee, the Public Utilities committee and the Local Government committee.