Henry County Commissioner Richard Myers was indicted Wednesday by the Henry County Grand Jury on one count of felony unlawful interest in a public contract, following an investigation by the Auditor of State's office.
Myers is accused of unlawfully causing public funds to be paid to a private firm and of having a personal financial interest in a related failed research and development project.
"The people of Henry County want their $300,000 back—and who can blame them?" Auditor Dave Yost said. "It takes a special kind of arrogance to be this reckless with the taxpayer checkbook."
Special Prosecutor Smith was appointed by county Prosecutor John Hanna, who is expected to be a witness to several of the events in question. The Auditor of State's office was joined in the investigation by officials from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General, due to the involvement of federal development funding in affected county programs.
Myers is alleged to have circumvented laws requiring proper appropriations and contracts for the issuance of public funds, and to have loaned personal funds to the project, signed a note for repayment, and arranged for other private investors—all while acting in his official capacity as a commissioner on matters relating to the project.
The funds were paid to Peter Collorafi, an Australian designer who sought to develop a high mileage concept car. The project collapsed soon after the state of Ohio refused to provide economic development funds to support it.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:28 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:28:59 GMT
Imagine picking up the phone to hear your grandchild is in trouble. You're told not to tell any other family members, and send cash right away. Chances are, it's a crook trying to pull the 'Grandma Scam'.
Imagine picking up the phone to hear your grandchild is in trouble. You're told not to tell any other family members, and send cash right away. Chances are, it's a crook trying to pull the 'Grandma Scam'.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:32 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:32:52 GMT
We've been following their journeys since the fall: 170 contestants fighting for the title of Extreme Weight Loss Champion. Now it's time for the crowning moment! 13abc's Kelly Heidbreder introduces us
We've been following their journeys since the fall: 170 contestants fighting for the title of Extreme Weight Loss Champion. Now it's time for the crowning moment! 13abc's Kelly Heidbreder introduces us to this year's winner…Robin Chlebowski!
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:20 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:20:37 GMT
If a tornado threatens, get into the basement. If you don't have a basement, a small, interior room in the lowest floor of your home is relatively safe. Avoid rooms with windows. Mobile homes are not safe in a tornado.
If a tornado threatens, get into the basement. If you don't have a basement, a small, interior room in the lowest floor of your home is relatively safe. Avoid rooms with windows. Mobile homes are not safe in a tornado.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:10 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:10:38 GMT
More jobs may be on the way at the old Jeep plant. One company has announced it will open business there and others are now interested in the site. At one time, 40,000 people worked at the site just
The 111-acre Overland Industrial park broke ground on a new road that will lead to construction of buildings to house new businesses.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:08 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:08:56 GMT
A Toledo family who moved to Moore less than a year ago only had minutes to take cover. "Its devastation buildings are ripped down families lost their homes houses are flattened." It's been a difficult
A local woman who moved to Moore Oklahoma almost a year ago survives a deadly tornado. 21 year old Kristina Legree says the twister touched down a mile for her home.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:08 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:08:56 GMT
A Toledo family who moved to Moore less than a year ago only had minutes to take cover. "Its devastation buildings are ripped down families lost their homes houses are flattened." It's been a difficult
A local woman who moved to Moore Oklahoma almost a year ago survives a deadly tornado. 21 year old Kristina Legree says the twister touched down a mile for her home.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:31 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:31:44 GMT
EVENING NEWS HEADLINES - MAY 21, 2013 ARSON FIRES Toledo fire investigators are looking into a series of fires in the city. Crews responded to four fires within about an hour of each other today. The
Toledo fire investigators looking into a series of fires in the city; Lucas County sheriff's deputy behind bars tonight.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:28 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:28:59 GMT
Imagine picking up the phone to hear your grandchild is in trouble. You're told not to tell any other family members, and send cash right away. Chances are, it's a crook trying to pull the 'Grandma Scam'.
Imagine picking up the phone to hear your grandchild is in trouble. You're told not to tell any other family members, and send cash right away. Chances are, it's a crook trying to pull the 'Grandma Scam'.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:20 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:20:37 GMT
If a tornado threatens, get into the basement. If you don't have a basement, a small, interior room in the lowest floor of your home is relatively safe. Avoid rooms with windows. Mobile homes are not safe in a tornado.
If a tornado threatens, get into the basement. If you don't have a basement, a small, interior room in the lowest floor of your home is relatively safe. Avoid rooms with windows. Mobile homes are not safe in a tornado.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:06 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:06:15 GMT
Safety at our local elementary schools is on the minds of parents after a deadly tornado ripped through schools in Moore, Oklahoma on Monday. Many schools in our area do not have basements. We spent the
Safety at our local elementary schools is on the minds of parents after a deadly tornado ripped through schools in Moore, Oklahoma on Monday.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:18 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:18:53 GMT
A suspended TPS teacher charged with receiving, distributing and possessing child pornography has pleaded guilty to receiving child porn on his home computer. Bruce Omlor, 49, was suspended from Riverside
A suspended TPS teacher charged with receiving, distributing and possessing child pornography has pleaded guilty to receiving child porn on his home computer. Bruce Omlor, 49, was suspended from Riverside Elementary earlier this year.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:12 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:12:54 GMT
The Putnam County teen accused of killing two Ottawa brothers appeared in court Tuesday afternoon. Michael Fay, 17, is charged with aggravated murder. Fay was arraigned on two counts of aggravated murder
The Putnam County teen accused of killing two Ottawa brothers appeared in court Tuesday afternoon. Michael Fay, 17, is charged with aggravated murder.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:11 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:11:44 GMT
A Lucas County sheriff's deputy was arrested Tuesday. Deputy Paul Little was charged with filing false reports, unlawful transfer of a firearm to a convicted felon, and intimidation of a witness. Little
A Lucas County sheriff's deputy was arrested Tuesday. Deputy Paul Little was charged with filing false reports, unlawful transfer of a firearm to a convicted felon, and intimidation of a witness.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 8:22 PM EDT2013-05-22 00:22:27 GMT
Relatives of three teenagers killed in an Ohio school shooting are suing a charity that maintains a fund set up to benefit the families and support the well-being of students and others in the affected community.
Relatives of three teenagers killed in an Ohio school shooting are suing a charity that maintains a fund set up to benefit victims' families and support the well-being of students and others in the affected community.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:32 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:32:52 GMT
We've been following their journeys since the fall: 170 contestants fighting for the title of Extreme Weight Loss Champion. Now it's time for the crowning moment! 13abc's Kelly Heidbreder introduces us
We've been following their journeys since the fall: 170 contestants fighting for the title of Extreme Weight Loss Champion. Now it's time for the crowning moment! 13abc's Kelly Heidbreder introduces us to this year's winner…Robin Chlebowski!
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