Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman is reportedly the subject of a second investigation by federal investigators looking into the 2010 sale of his former home to a Chinese businesswoman.
Just days after news of a probe into questionable contributions by a red light camera company, several media outlets report Coleman and his ex-wife are being investigated for the 2010 sale of their former home on East Haddon Road.
The home sold for $520,000, more than most comparable homes in the area. It was sold to Li Jianhua, a Chinese woman who was reportedly trying to set up a business in Central Ohio.
The Columbus Dispatch reports federal investigators have interviewed a city employee who says Coleman directed city staffers to help the buyer set up a business here.
The paper reports investigators have issued subpoenas and asked city staffers for records related to the sale of the southeast Columbus home.
In a statement issued Thursday night, Coleman said he is not under investigation.
“This is simply untrue. I have cooperated with federal authorities in their investigation into the buyer of our property, but I have no reason to believe that I am under investigation."
