Paul H. Jones, namesake of the child development center on Rhodes Road, pleaded guilty Thursday to three counts of filing false tax returns and five counts of mail fraud. University spokesman Ron Kirksey said there has not been any discussion of a potenti

Credit: Ron Soltys

University spokesman Ron Kirksey said there has not been any discussion of a potential name change for the Paul H. Jones Child Development Center as its namesake awaits sentencing.

Former Ravenna Mayor Paul Jones pleaded guilty Thursday to three counts of filing false tax returns and five counts of mail fraud.

The Child Development Center, located at 5680 Rhodes Road, was named after the then-state representative and former mayor in 1991, after Jones played a major role in securing funding for the center.

Jones resigned as mayor in December 2005. Shortly after his resignation, it was revealed that he had not reported earnings he had received from a lawn mowing business run by his son. He also failed to disclose on state ethics forms that his involvement in the business presented a conflict of interest.

The bond for Jones was set at $25,000. It was an unsecured bond, which means Jones did not actually have to pay any money.

Because Jones lives in Florida, he will be permitted to travel between there and Ohio while he is out on bond. He will be sentenced on March 23.

Workers at the center declined to comment on the issue and referred any questions to Kirksey.

Contact news correspondent Kevin Gareau at [email protected].