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.

COLUMBUS — Legislative leaders in Ohio are planning to change language in a collective bargaining bill to ensure police and firefighters could negotiate over safety vests and other gear.

House spokesman Mike Dittoe said it’s among at least 10 substantive changes lawmakers are considering making to the legislation as a House labor committee has scheduled a possible vote Tuesday.

Dittoe says lawmakers also were looking to cut language from the measure that would bar certain public employees from talking to their city council members during negotiations.

He said some of the proposed changes were still being drafted, and he couldn’t comment on all of them.

Amendments are due to the labor committee’s chairman by Monday evening.

The Senate narrowly passed the bill earlier this month and would have to agree to changes.