CLEVELAND — A Republican who unsuccessfully ran for Congress last year has pleaded not guilty in Cleveland on sex-related criminal charges.

Ganley

Sixty-eight-year-old Thomas Ganley, of Brecksville, stood before a judge Tuesday as his attorney entered a not guilty plea during arraignment. Without commenting, Ganley left court to post $25,000 bond.

He has been charged with three counts of gross sexual imposition and one count each of kidnapping, abduction, soliciting and menacing by stalking. He’s accused of groping and soliciting sex from a 37-year-old woman.

Ganley, who owns a car dealership, has become a familiar face in northeast Ohio where his TV ads have aired over the years.

The allegations emerged in a civil suit filed weeks before the congressional election he lost to incumbent Democrat Betty Sutton.