Ohio Inspector General investigation alleges ODOT employee improperly hired contract employee to perform work at his residence

The Office of the Ohio Inspector General received a referral from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) alleging ODOT District 12 Transportation Engineer 2 Nicolas Bycoskie used Lakeland Electric Company (LEC) to grade and landscape his lawn at his newly built residence. At the time, Lakeland Electric Company was in contract with ODOT to perform electrical work for lighting project #200164, and Bycoskie was assigned by ODOT to oversee the project. 

Various ODOT employees raised concerns about Bycoskie’s lack of detail on the project, whereby he allegedly either did not notice or possibly ignored concerns with the work performed by LEC until ODOT management brought the issues to his attention. 

Investigators learned Bycoskie had allegedly signed his approval to the final ODOT inspection report for ODOT lighting project #200164 even though issues involving LEC’s work performance had not been corrected. During an interview with investigators, Bycoskie allegedly denied giving preferential treatment to LEC in exchange for work performed at his residence but admitted that it might have been a conflict of interest.

The Office of the Ohio Inspector General found that Bycoskie’s actions constituted a wrongdoing for violating ODOT policies. The report of investigation was previously sent to the Ohio Ethics Commission who consulted with the Geauga County Prosecutor’s Office. On Aug. 22, 2023, the Geauga County Grand Jury indicted Nicolas Bycoskie for bribery and conflict of interest.

Ohio Inspector General Report of Investigation file number 2021-CA00020 is now available at https://watchdog.ohio.gov/static/Investigations/2023/2021-CA00020/2021-….