CLEVELAND (AP) — A longtime prosecutor in northeast Ohio has resigned four months before his term ends to take a job with a law firm in Cleveland.

Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason resigned Monday to take a job with the Cleveland office of the Columbus law firm of Bricker & Eckler. Mason has been the county prosecutor in Cleveland for nearly 14 years.

Mason had previously said he would not run for re-election but would complete his four-year term before leaving in January. But he said Monday that he will leave Sept. 30 and begin work at the firm Oct. 1. Mason says he will be assisting public sector clients.

Former Judge Timothy McGinty, a Democrat, and Republican Edward Wade Jr. are competing to replace Mason in the Nov. 6 general election.

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