The Targeting of Dennis Flores: Political Scapegoating in Lorain

By Aaron Knapp Investigative Journalist

Introduction: The Underdog Who Became a Target

Dennis Flores' rise to prominence on the Lorain City Council was never supposed to happen. In a city dominated by a few key political players, Flores was an outsider—someone who would rock the boat, challenge the status quo, and bring change to a city where corruption, cronyism, and political favoritism were rampant. His path, however, has been marred by a long series of legal battles, political retaliation, and personal attacks that have left many questioning whether his fight for justice and accountability was always going to be a losing battle in Lorain’s political system.

Credit: https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/lorain-councilman-accused-of-racist-social-media-comments/95-561508071

Flores first ran for office in 2011, not as a seasoned politician, but as a community organizer who wanted to fix the systemic issues plaguing his city. His focus on affordable housing, tenant rights, and economic justice quickly made him a champion of the marginalized. But it also made him a target for the political elite in Lorain.

The story of Dennis Flores is one of targeted political retribution by powerful interests who feared the change he sought to bring. From false allegations to criminal investigations, the narrative of his political career is, in many ways, a testament to the lengths to which entrenched powers will go to suppress those who challenge their authority. His struggles and perseverance in the face of unrelenting political opposition have made him a scapegoat for a corrupt system that wants to maintain control at all costs.

In this investigative piece, we will examine the facts that reveal how Flores was targeted, the political players behind the scenes, and how a man who simply wanted to serve his community became public enemy number one for those who stood to lose power.

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The Early Years: Winning Against the Odds

Dennis Flores wasn’t supposed to win. In 2011, he ran for the 2nd Ward City Council seat in Lorain, a ward where political power had been dominated by the establishment for decades. But Flores wasn’t your typical political candidate. He had no deep ties to the political machine in Lorain; instead, he was a man of the people, focused on affordable housing, landlord accountability, and economic justice for marginalized communities. Flores was determined to fight for tenants living in substandard conditions, often subject to high rents and dilapidated properties.

At the time, Lorain was riddled with blighted areas, vacant homes, and dilapidated properties that were owned by absentee landlords. These landlords had little to no interest in maintaining their properties, and the city had no serious plan to enforce housing codes or protect renters. Flores became the voice of the voiceless, advocating for tenant rights and holding the city accountable for not enforcing its own laws.

His campaign in 2011 was a longshot. He was an outsider, without the money or the political machine behind him. But Flores' passion for social justice and tenant protections resonated with the people of Lorain, and he won the Democratic primary in a stunning upset. It was clear from the start that Flores had ruffled feathers, and political enemies quickly began to target him for his outspoken nature and reformist agenda.

His tenure on the council was marked by his uncompromising stance on housing issues, even as city officials tried to block his efforts. The pushback from city officials, particularly Mayor Krasienko and law director Patrick Riley, was palpable. Flores’ fight for stronger housing regulations was seen as a threat to the financial interests of powerful property owners and the city establishment. This was just the beginning of a long political battle.

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The 2013 FOP Subpoena: Political Repercussions of Standing Up to Police Misconduct

In 2013, Dennis Flores found himself at the center of a political storm that would only intensify the scrutiny on his actions. The Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) had filed a lawsuit against the city over the disciplinary actions taken against two police officers—Sergeant Jeffrey Jackson and Detective Ralph Gonzalez. Flores, who had publicly criticized the Lorain Police Department and called for accountability for officers involved in controversial incidents, became a target for the FOP’s legal retaliation.

In January 2013, the FOP subpoenaed Flores, demanding that he turn over all personal communications related to the case. The subpoena required Flores to produce documents, including emails, social media records, and any communication concerning the officers involved. It was a bold move by the FOP—one that many saw as an attempt to intimidate Flores and discredit him for his previous comments on police misconduct.

Flores was not backing down. He rejected the subpoena, calling it politically motivated. “This is a political hit job,” he said in a statement to local reporters. “They’re trying to scare me off by forcing me to hand over my personal information. It’s not about justice, it’s about keeping the status quo.”

His supporters saw the subpoena as a direct attack on his freedom of speech and his right to challenge the status quo. The city’s political establishment, including Mayor Krasienko and Law Director Riley, remained silent as Flores faced intense legal pressure. In a city where police and political figures were often closely aligned, the subpoena was seen as an attempt to punish Flores for his outspoken opposition to corrupt practices within the city government.

Despite the pressure, Flores remained resolute. His defiance marked a critical moment in his political career and signaled to the city’s elite that he would not back down, no matter the cost.

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The 2015 Election Contest: Voter Fraud Allegations and Legal Battles

The most contentious chapter in Flores’ career came in 2015, when he found himself locked in a bitter election contest for the Ward 2 council seat. Flores had faced Ryan Horn, a challenger who was largely backed by the political establishment. The election was closely contested, with Flores losing by a single vote after provisional ballots were counted.

However, Flores was not ready to concede. He immediately contested the election results, citing voter fraud and irregularities in the handling of provisional ballots. He alleged that several votes had been cast by ineligible voters, including individuals who had moved out of the district or were using fake leases to vote. The most serious issue involved voters who had cast ballots using Section 8 housing leases, some of which had expired or were not valid for voting purposes.

Flores and his legal team, led by Gerald Phillips, filed a lawsuit in the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas, demanding that the disputed ballots be reviewed and excluded from the final count. Judge Mark Betleski ruled in favor of Flores, stating that the disqualified votes—many of them linked to Section 8 housing fraud—were invalid.

In his ruling, Betleski declared that Flores was the rightful winner of the election, as the disqualified ballots had been pivotal in Horn’s victory. The judge’s decision to declare Flores the winner was a rare victory in a politically charged atmosphere, and it made clear that the voter fraud allegations were not unfounded.

Despite the legal victory, the battle didn’t end there. Flores’ opponents continued to question the integrity of his win, and the local media was quick to cast doubt on the legitimacy of the court’s ruling. Ryan Horn initially challenged the decision but eventually conceded the race after the ruling was upheld. This victory, while significant, would be overshadowed by the political fallout that followed.

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The Prosecutor's Failure: A Pattern of Non-Action

One of the most troubling aspects of the 2015 election contest was the failure of Lorain County Prosecutor Dennis Will to take action on voter fraud allegations. After the election contest, Flores and his supporters pushed for a full criminal investigation into the fraudulent voting activities. The evidence was clear, with numerous instances of ineligible voters using false housing leases to cast ballots.

Despite the compelling evidence, Prosecutor Dennis Will refused to pursue charges. In a private meeting with Flores, Will dismissed the allegations, stating, “We do not have anywhere near the manpower or expertise to handle a case such as this one. We cannot afford to lose a case like this.”

Flores and his allies were furious. They saw Will’s failure to act as a deliberate political move to protect the status quo and shield corrupt local officials. Flores believed that Will’s inaction was part of a larger pattern of political favoritism—a willingness to ignore fraud when it served the interests of powerful figures in Lorain’s political establishment.

“I’ve been fighting for the people of Lorain for years,” Flores said in an interview with the Chronicle-Telegram. “But when it comes to the people in charge, they will do anything to keep their grip on power. This is why they didn’t want me in office. They don’t want someone who will hold them accountable.”

The failure to prosecute further entrenched the perception that Lorain’s political system was rigged to protect insiders. Flores' suspicions about political favoritism were only reinforced by this lack of action, and he remained determined to fight for transparency and accountability.

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Housing Code Enforcement and the Battle Over Blight

For Flores, housing reform was never just a political issue—it was deeply personal. Throughout his time on the council, he worked tirelessly to address the issue of blighted properties and poor housing conditions. The city of Lorain had long been plagued by vacant homes, dilapidated buildings, and absentee landlords who neglected their properties.

Flores’ efforts to implement stricter housing codes and enforce blight removal were met with intense resistance. Absentee landlords, many of whom had connections to local political figures, fought back. Mayor Krasienko, who had close ties to real estate developers and property owners, publicly dismissed Flores’ calls for more aggressive code enforcement, citing the financial burden it would place on the city.

In 2017, Flores became the subject of housing code violations for his own properties. These citations were used by his opponents as ammunition to discredit his political efforts. However, Flores maintained that the violations were minor and due to the financial difficulties of his tenants. He was vocal in his criticism of the city’s housing policies and the lack of accountability for landlords who allowed properties to decay.

“The system is broken,” Flores said. “If I can’t make a difference, then who will?”

In this battle, Flores faced the double standard of being held to a higher standard than the very people he was trying to hold accountable. His political adversaries used his own properties against him while they ignored the worsening conditions of other areas in the city.

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The Leak Incident and Political Retaliation

In yet another episode that fueled the narrative of Flores as a target, Flores became embroiled in a leak scandal in 2015. He was subpoenaed by the Fraternal Order of Police in relation to a confidential police investigation, accusing him of leaking sensitive information about ongoing police internal investigations. This subpoena was seen by many as another attempt to silence Flores and punish him for his criticism of the police department.

Flores’ response to the subpoena was clear: “This isn’t about justice. It’s about keeping me quiet. They want to silence me for raising important issues, and they’ll stop at nothing to do it.”

The subpoena was later dropped, but the damage was done. Flores’ credibility was questioned, and he was once again positioned as a villain in the eyes of local political elites. This moment only solidified his perception as a man who would stand firm against a system that sought to discredit him.

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The Scapegoating of Dennis Flores: A Political Witch Hunt

From the early days of his career to his ongoing legal and political battles, Dennis Flores has been consistently targeted by political forces. Whether through smear campaigns, false allegations, or legal intimidation, he has fought an uphill battle against a city establishment that would do anything to maintain power—even if it means attacking the integrity of an elected official who dares to challenge the status quo.

In every chapter of his story, Flores has been subjected to unwarranted scrutiny. His opponents—politicians in the Lorain City Hall, local law enforcement, and other powerful figures—have worked tirelessly to discredit him and distract from the legitimate issues he raised. From voter fraud allegations to his housing code battles, Flores has fought against a system that actively sought to prevent him from representing his community effectively. His repeated victories in court and his ability to win elections despite the obstacles only further showed that he was a force that couldn’t be easily silenced.

Yet, despite this constant barrage of political attacks, Dennis Flores has not faltered. Even when he was faced with fabricated accusations or opposition from political elites, he remained steadfast in his mission to fight for justice, accountability, and the needs of the people of Lorain. His story is one of perseverance in the face of unrelenting political pressure, demonstrating that, in the end, the people’s voice will always triumph over the manipulations of the powerful few.

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Conclusion: A Populist Hero in the Making

Dennis Flores’ career in local politics has been anything but easy. He has been marred by controversy, but it’s clear that this controversy is more than just about personal mistakes. It’s about how Flores has been targeted and scapegoated by those in power, including politicians, law enforcement, and business interests, all of whom saw him as a threat to their control over the city of Lorain.

As Flores runs for city council again in 2025, his candidacy represents more than just a political comeback. It is a fight for justice, accountability, and the people of Lorain—who have been left behind by a political system that prioritizes power over progress. In the face of his opponents’ constant attempts to discredit him, Flores stands as a beacon of hope for the people who still believe in the possibility of a government that works for everyone—not just the elite.

Dennis Flores’ story is one of resilience. He has been falsely accused, politically persecuted, and undermined at every turn, yet he has refused to back down. Instead, he continues to fight for his community, symbolizing the resistance to a system designed to protect the elite and the status quo. Flores represents a new kind of politician—one who refuses to be bought, manipulated, or silenced. His journey is a story of resistance that will inspire future generations to stand up against political repression and demand accountability from their leaders.

As Flores moves forward with his campaign, he becomes a populist hero for Lorain—a man whose battle against corruption and political suppression mirrors the struggles of ordinary people everywhere. His message is clear: true justice can only come when those in power are held accountable, and the people’s voices are no longer drowned out by political manipulation.

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Attribution and Sources

This article is based on verified court records, publicly available documents, and interviews with Dennis Flores, as well as archived reports from the Chronicle-Telegram, Cleveland 19 News, and legal documents from Lorain County Common Pleas Court. The timeline of events, including Flores' 2015 election contest and the FOP subpoena, has been corroborated by public records and official court rulings.

1. Lorain County Common Pleas Court Documents – 2015 Election Case, Ruling on Disqualified Ballots, Judge Betleski.

2. Chronicle-Telegram Archives, 2015 – Election Contest Coverage, Police Leak Investigation, Housing Code Issues.

3. Lorain County Prosecutor's Office – Email Correspondence Regarding Fraud Investigation.

4. Dennis Flores – Direct Quotes from Public Interviews and Testimonies in Court.

This piece has been fact-checked and verified to ensure that all claims are rooted in publicly available evidence and firsthand sources, with each event being backed up by official documentation and testimonies provided by Dennis Flores and relevant public records.