WCPO: P.G. Sittenfeld trial
UC’s David Niven weighs in on the Sittenfeld case and political fall out
UC political scientist David Niven has his fingers on the pulse of national, state and local government; and Niven’s opinion is one the media relies on to explain the overarching effects of political actions.
In the case of P.G. Sittenfeld, a former Cincinnati City Councilman now on trial for corruption involving development deals, Niven says it’s less about one man and more about the entire political system.
“This is a case about the way American politics works,” Niven told WCPO. “If you win this case, you will literally take thousands of officeholders and you will shake them by the lapels and tell them you can’t simply sit around in this cesspool of money, you have to find another way.”
The FBI arrested three City Council members on separate charges of public corruption in 2020. Former Councilmember Tamaya Dennard, a Democrat, pleaded guilty to honest services wire fraud and was released from prison last month. Former Councilman Jeff Pastor, a Republican, is awaiting trial in a separate public corruption case. Sittenfeld, a Democrat, is the first council member to face a jury.
Niven says the burden is on the prosecutors is to draw that straight line between the actions and the money. And it’s a difficult one to draw: “It is legal to do things. It is legal to take money. It is not legal to do things for money,” he says.
Niven is an associate professor in UC’s School of Public and international affairs and is an often-cited expert on American politics. His research focus is on political campaigns, gerrymandering, political communication and death penalty policy.
Watch the WCPO interview
Niven was also cited in The Cincinnati Herald: Jury selection in P.G. Sittenfeld’s public corruption trial beginning today
Featured image at top of Cincinnati Skyline/Adobe.
Impact Lives Here
The University of Cincinnati is leading public urban universities into a new era of innovation and impact. Our faculty, staff and students are saving lives, changing outcomes and bending the future in our city's direction. Next Lives Here.
Related Stories
First-ever Gen-Z Insights event hosted by UC NEXT Innovation...
April 19, 2024
In academia, the intersection of innovation, collaboration and the fresh perspectives of the University of Cincinnati NEXT Innovation Scholars (NIS) holds immense promise. As a multi-disciplinary student group of innovators, the program balances university, corporate and non-profit partners. NIS students are driven by curiosity, passion, future creation and pursuing innovation, fostering a community of forward-thinkers poised to tackle tomorrow's challenges today. Recently, these young visionaries hosted an inaugural Gen-Z Insights showcase event at the UC 1819 Innovation Hub. The packed room of attendees included 1819 corporate partners such as Kao and Main Street Ventures and distinguished faculty and staff members. All were eager to hear and learn more from NIS scholars and the industry projects they worked on throughout the year.
UC offers experiential learning abroad in Central America
April 19, 2024
In the tropical paradise of Costa Rica, fourth year journalism and international affairs student Stephanie Rivera embarked on an unforgettable journey of self-discovery and cultural immersion. Leaving behind the familiar sights and sounds of Cincinnati, Rivera set out to study abroad for a transformative semester in this Central American country, rich with vibrant biodiversity and cultural heritage. The College of Arts & Sciences (A&S) at UC places great emphasis on encouraging study abroad and experiential learning opportunities for its students. Recognizing the transformative power of global experiences, the college supports a variety of study-abroad programs that enable students to enhance their academic pursuits while gaining valuable cultural and personal experiences.
Media coverage and word of mouth extends DAAP art exhibit to...
April 19, 2024
Due to popular draw, the art exhibit "Rediscovering Catharina van Hemessen’s Scourging of Christ: Women Artists, Patrons, and Rulers in Renaissance Europe" has been extended at the DAAP Library through April 30.