- Public Corruption
- Nov 5, 2026
Democratic Party Chair’s Husband INDICTED As Ohio EXPOSES $20M Taken From A College
A small public college in Steubenville, Ohio grew from a few thousand students to tens of thousands almost overnight, thanks to a “free college” deal for union members. Then the money ran out, the federal government shut the program down, and Eastern Gateway Community College closed for good. Now Ohio prosecutors say about $20 million in Pell grants, federal aid and state subsidies was diverted along the way. Three people are charged, including Michael Perik, the husband of Rhode Island’s Democratic Party chair.
What we cover:
Presumption of innocence
How the Free College Benefit worked, and who ran it The contracts prosecutors say hid who was in control Incentive payments, bribes and falsified records, according to the indictment The 2024 search of the campus by the state auditor’s investigators The college’s collapse and its estimated $259 million in liabilities The 24-count indictment and what the defense says The political fallout in Rhode Island Michael Perik, Nicole Rowe Colclasure and Michael Geoghegan are presumed innocent. Liz Beretta-Perik has not been charged with any wrongdoing.
Sources
Ohio Auditor of State; U.S. Department of Education; Jefferson County Common Pleas Court records; NBC 10 WJAR; WPRI 12; WFMJ 21; WKBN 27; WTRF 7; WTOV 9; The Business Journal (Youngstown); The Newport Buzz. News footage is used under fair use for news reporting and commentary.
