COLUMBUS, Ohio -- After two years and 20 suspects have been charged, the state investigation at the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation is still going strong.

In an interview with WHIOTV.COM a key player in the long-running probe said Friday more criminal charges could be coming in the future.

David Freel, Executive Director of the Ohio Ethics Commission, said more charges could be brought against former BWC Oversight Commission member George Forbes.

On Thursday, Forbes was found guilty on criminal ethics charges for failure to report gifts from investment managers seeking business with the state.

Freel said, “Mr. Forbes was a member of Cleveland City Council for many, many years. This is not an inexperienced public official.”

Forbes was ordered to pay a fine and perform community service under a plea agreement.

Prosecutors were quick to point out the agreement does not extend to any potential future charges.

Others who have been charged in the case include former Ohio Gov. Bob Taft and former Toledo coin dealer Tom Noe.

Taft pleaded no contest to an ethics charge for failure to report gifts from friends, including golf outings with Noe.

Noe was convicted of a theft charge.

The next figure in the case to make a court appearance may be a broker whose company lost more than $200 million of BWC money.

Jim.otte@whiotv.com