© WKNBRichard Kennan
A former Ohio mayor has admitted to repeatedly raping a child, prosecutors said — but the self-described Christian blames the girl for her own sexual abuse.
Richard Keenan, who served as mayor of Hubbard in 2010 and 2011, was indicted last month eight counts of rape and 12 counts of attempted rape and gross sexual imposition,
reported the Youngstown Vindicator.
The 65-year-old Keenan pleaded not guilty last month during a court appearance, but prosecutors said he admitted to sexually assaulting the girl
over a three-year period, beginning when she was 4 years old.Prosecutors said Keenan confessed to the sex abuse to his wife, a pastor, a social worker and his brother- and sister-in-law.
According to court filings, the child told Keenan's wife about the abuse and she confronted him — and he then admitted "I did it." Keenan also admitted the abuse during group discussions at a nearby hospital, and he then voluntarily checked himself into a psychiatric facility because he was suicidal.
Comment: The Norilsk nickel plant has admitted to be the cause: