Trial set Nov. 7 for Ohio mayor who’s a standup comedian

FILE – In this Feb. 19, 2016, file photo, Hillsboro, Ohio, Mayor Drew Hastings, who is a veteran standup comedian, pauses during an interview at his office in Hillsboro, Ohio. Veteran standup comedian Hastings was scheduled to appear Monday, Aug. 1, 2016, before former Summit County Common Pleas Judge Patricia Ann Cosgrove in his first court hearing since an indictment on four felony counts. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File) FILE – In this Feb. 19, 2016, file photo, Hillsboro, Ohio, Mayor Drew Hastings, who is a veteran standup comedian, pauses during an interview at his office in Hillsboro, Ohio. Veteran standup comedian Hastings was scheduled to appear Monday, Aug. 1, 2016, before former Summit County Common Pleas Judge Patricia Ann Cosgrove in his first court hearing since an indictment on four felony counts. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)

By Associated Press August 1, 2016 2 min read

HILLSBORO, Ohio (AP) – A judge on Monday scheduled a Nov. 7 trial for the mayor of a small Ohio city who’s also a veteran standup comedian.

A judge entered “not guilty” pleas Monday for Drew Hastings after the defense waived readings of the charges against him. Retired Summit County Common Pleas Judge Patricia Ann Cosgrove is hearing the case after a local judge recused himself.

Cosgrove also warned those involved in the case about engaging in pretrial publicity, including in comments on social media.

“There has been a lot of publicity,” she said. “We’re going to try this case in the courtroom.”

Cosgrove set a pretrial hearing for Oct. 12