Cincinnati mayor's job pays better than royalty

Justin P. Jeffre has filed a belated financial disclosure statement with the Ohio Ethics Commission revealing that he made $55,144 in income last year -- mostly from songwriting royalties and interest on investments.

The 32-year-old singer for the pop group 98 Degrees was the only candidate who did not file his ethics disclosure before the election, saying he needed more time for his business manager to compile the information.

Jeffre made $9,961 in songwriting and record royalties, and $126 in residuals from television appearances on the WB Network and elsewhere. Jeffre has partial writing credits on two songs, "My Everything" and "Never Giving Up."

Direct income from his band was a mixed bag. 98 Degrees Music Inc., the recording arm, earned him $2,961. But 98 Degrees Touring Inc. lost money: $3,585. (In addition to being a director and shareholder in the two companies, Jeffre is treasurer of both entities. Andrew Lachey, brother of bandleader Nick Lachey, was chairman.)

Five years removed from his biggest hits, most of Jeffre's income came from investments.

Jeffre, who used his campaign to bemoan the corporate influence on local media and City Hall, also reported owning shares or corporate bonds in the following companies, among others: Viacom (owner of television networks MTV, VH1 and CBS), General Electric (owner of NBC and Universal Studios), SBC Communications, Wal-Mart Stores, Alcoa Inc. and Bank of America.