Kristina Edmison, a teacher at Vermilion High School, has been indicted on serious felony charges. She is facing 23 criminal counts, including illegal gambling, corruption, and money laundering. The charges stem from a large-scale investigation by a Cuyahoga County grand jury.
The indictment outlines a criminal scheme that ran from 2018 to 2022. Edmison is accused of helping operate unlicensed slot machines, running illegal bingo games, and laundering money through fake businesses. She has been removed from her teaching duties while the investigation continues.
On April 15, 2025, the district’s superintendent, Dr. David Hile, gave Edmison a formal letter. The letter said she was being removed from all duties with pay. She was told to turn in school property and not contact staff or students during the investigation. She signed the letter, acknowledging receipt.
The indictment includes 23 counts, many of which are felony charges. The most serious is a first-degree felony for engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity. This charge is Ohio’s version of a RICO offense—short for the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, a law often used by the federal government to target organized crime groups, including the mob. It is used when someone is accused of helping to run a long-term criminal operation involving multiple offenses.
Other charges include conspiracy, money laundering, running illegal bingo games, violating casino gaming laws, and operating as an unlicensed bingo supply distributor. The charges cover activity from August 2018 through November 2022. Edmison is listed along with her co-defendants: Lee Edmison Jr., Lee Edmison III, and three business entities — Modern Music & Games, K Zip Services and Repairs, and LJ Modern Properties LLC.
According to the indictment, the group created a business network to hide illegal gambling operations. They placed unlicensed slot machines in at least 13 bars across Cuyahoga County, including places like Knuckleheads, Red Circle Bar, and Dogg House. These machines were not allowed under Ohio law. The group also used charity bingo licenses, claiming to raise money for groups like the Ohio Junior Hockey Association and the Medina Youth Baseball Association. Prosecutors say these licenses were misused to make the gambling seem legal.
The money earned from the machines was then moved through business accounts, gift cards, and property purchases. Prosecutors are asking the court to seize over $33,000 in cash, real estate in Berea and Columbus, bank accounts with U.S. Bank, Capital Bank & Trust, and BNY Mellon, as well as vehicles including a Chevrolet Express Box Truck and a Toyota Corolla.
On April 15, Dr. David Hile, the superintendent of Vermilion Schools, sent Edmison a letter saying she was being relieved of duties with pay. The letter said the district is investigating whether she failed to act lawfully and ethically as a teacher. Edmison was told not to enter any school property or attend school events without permission. She was also ordered not to speak with any students or school staff about the matter. The letter was hand-delivered, and Edmison signed it to acknowledge receipt. This move by the district came after the indictment was made public on March 21, 2025.
Some community members have expressed surprise, as Edmison is widely known not only as a social studies teacher but also as an advisor for Model UN and other student organizations.
Kristina Edmison and her co-defendants will face court proceedings in Cuyahoga County. If convicted of the first-degree felony charge alone, she could face up to 11 years in prison, in addition to fines and the loss of property tied to the crime. Because the charges include corruption, money laundering, and racketeering, the court will likely examine bank records, business activity, and communications between defendants. The case may take months, or even longer, to move through the court system.
At this time, Edmison has not entered a plea and is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
This case has left many in the Vermilion community stunned. Kristina Edmison was a familiar face in the schools and known for her role in student life. The seriousness of the charges stands in sharp contrast to how many knew her. As the legal process moves forward, the community is left processing difficult news while waiting for the facts to unfold in court.
Vermilion Daily will continue to report updates as they become available.
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