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Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
Warren County judge acquits Wayne Local treasurer, daughter on all charges in strong ruling
May 21—The former Wayne Local School District treasurer and his daughter were acquitted of all charges after just two days of trial, without the defense even presenting its case. Warren County Judge Timothy Tepe said he was granting a motion to acquit Ronald L. James, 69, of tampering with records, theft in office and having an unlawful interest in a public contract; and Jenae M. James, 43, of felony theft. The rule used by Tepe allows judges to conclude that evidence submitted by the prosecution is insufficient to convict the defendants before the case goes to the jury. The motion was filed by the defense after the prosecution presented its case and granted before the defense presented theirs. The case before acquittal Ronald James was initially accused of using his office, which he held at the district for 24 years, to direct money to his daughter and give a school contract to a business partner. Warren County Prosecutor David Fornshell said in October 2024 that Ronald James was accused of diverting money given to the district for hosting ACT testing during the COVID-19 pandemic to his daughter, who he said had allegedly already been paid. Fornshell said that Ronald James was also accused of working for a local garden center and steering business projects for the district to that company. The investigation involved a special audit from the Ohio Auditor of State. Ronald James resigned from the district in 2022, citing "personal and professional reasons" for the decision. According to the attorney for Jenae James, she was placed on paid administrative leave during the investigation but placed on unpaid leave once she was indicted. Judge Tepe's statement In his statement, Tepe was deeply critical of the prosecution's case, saying that he found none of the witnesses credible except for the owner of the garden center. He was specifically critical of former Wayne Local Superintendent Pat Dubbs, who the judge said came across as a "lazy superintendent who didn't even know how to operate the system," adding that he thought Dubbs' memory was very selective during his testimony. He even said that he believed Dubbs was just trying to "cover his own butt" with his statements. "Very disappointing," Tepe said. He was also specifically critical throughout the closing statement of former school board president Jim Byers, saying that after listening to the witnesses, "It became abundantly clear that Dr. Byers had a personal axe to grind with Mr. James." Regarding the allegations of redirecting ACT testing funds, he said, "It was very clear that the arrangement with ACT that was made in advance was for the additional services that Ms. James was to provide." "There was no theft that occurred," he said, adding that the district was never owed the money, and the funds were always due to Jenae James. Speaking about the allegations that Ronald James had funneled business to the garden center he works for, Tepe said he had heard no evidence, other than from Byers, that James exerted any influence over the school board to adopt the contract. He said he heard conflicting testimony over who had presented the contract to the board, pointing out that the business owner, the only witness he felt was credible, said it was former superintendent Dubbs. "The state has wholly failed in convincing this court," Tepe said. The judge suggested that if it were not for the way that Byers had "spoon-fed" information to investigators, the case may not have even gone to trial. He said it was "very disappointing" emails critical to the case were not turned over to either the defense or the investigator in a prompt manner, though he said he was unclear if the delay was due to the state of Ohio's investigator or due to Byers. "The court is certainly in favor of eliminating government waste, but this last day and a half has been a waste," Tepe said. From the defense: Case never should have gone to trial When reached for statement, John D. Smith, attorney for Ronald James said, "I think the acquittal is the statement," adding that the charges should never have been brought, and saying it was an "absolute disgrace" that the case progressed and took Jenae James out of her classroom. Kevin Hughes, attorney for Jenae James, echoed Smith's sentiments, saying that it was an "awful, terrible experience" for both father and daughter. Hughes said getting a Rule 29 motion granted is very difficult, adding that for the judge to grant it meant there was no evidence the charges were true. He also echoed the judge's criticism at the delay of crucial emails being provided, saying they were only delivered the Thursday before trial, which began on the following Monday. Ultimately, Hughes emphasized Jenae James's award-winning work as a teacher for the district. She was one of three 2022 Project Excellence winners at the district. He also pointed to the ACT testing whose funding was at issue in the trial, saying that she ran ACT testing at the school before the COVID-19 pandemic and during the lockdowns was the only one in the area to do so, preparing test rooms for more than eight times the normal number of students. "It was a true shame they got drug through this," he concluded. From the family: Isolated, ostracized after case opened Ronald James said he had a long career with the school district, starting in 1998 and including his role as the district treasurer as well as a coach, announcer and volunteer to teach some classes. Speaking about the case, he insisted that there was no basis for the charges, saying the ACT payments were documented and approved by the district, and that he only put the district in touch with the garden center, and didn't have any input on the decision to choose them to complete work at the school. After the investigation and indictment, James said he felt isolated and ostracized by the school community. James said he was thankful to all the good board members but said that the school district's success was due to its teachers, including his daughter, as well as its parents. From the board: Hope Waynesville can move forward When contacted, former superintendent Dubbs provided the following statement: "This trial was limited to two very specific incidents that occurred years ago and in which I had very limited involvement. However, I can say with certainty that I testified truthfully and to the best of my memory regarding the events. I respect the judge's ultimate decision and hope that the Waynesville community can now move forward from this and focus on the important mission of educating children." Former school board president Byers did not immediately respond to attempts to contact him. From the prosecution: Respecting the court's decision When reached about the case, Warren County Prosecutor David Fornshell replied, "Obviously, the court viewed the evidence differently than what the state auditor's office did and what our office did. But that happens sometimes. That's our justice system. We respect the court's decision."
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Final report on Columbus Zoo leadership theft released
POWELL, Ohio (WCMH) — The Ohio Auditor of State released the final report from the investigation into the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, more than four years after news first broke about top executives stealing $2.3 million from the zoo. The special audit into the zoo led to the convictions and prison sentences for five former zoo leaders who used zoo money for personal purchases for ten years. Ohio's power grid operator warns of potential power shortages this summer The executives paid for suite tickets for the Columbus Blue Jackets and Ohio State games, 2016 World Series tickets, One Direction concert tickets, vacations to Florida and limo services. The final report included emails from the executives showing how they attempted to conceal the purchases by saying they were to entertain zoo donors and board members. For their roles in the $2.3 million theft, former CEO Tom Stalf was sentenced to seven years in prison, former CFO Greg Bell received three years in prison and the former Director of Marketing Pete Fingerhut got five years behind bars. Combined, the men are paying back nearly $1.5 million in restitution. The other two executives involved, Grant Bell and Tracy Murnane, received little to no jail time and are paying back much less in restitution. New 'The Office' spinoff series to be set in Ohio Ohio Auditor Keith Faber said current zoo leadership and the board of directors have made changes to make sure fraud like this does not happen again. 'This is a cautionary tale for everybody,' Faber said. 'Being on a nonprofit board is not just a ceremonial position. You get to just rubber stamp what the executives do. You have a real oversight role.' The CEO of the Columbus Zoo, Tom Schmid, said the zoo is now focused on oversight for leaders and transparency. There is an ethics hotline for anonymous reporting, documentation on all transactions, a reduction in spending limits, and personal purchases are now prohibited. 'It's a new day, we have new leadership in place, we have a more engaged board of directors, we have dozens of new policies and procedures. I can assure you, under my watch, that this will not happen again,' Schmid said. Faber said these new safeguards will better protect the zoo. A rare wildflower that is only known to grow naturally in Ohio blooms in May 'I have confidence that the people of Ohio can say that the zoo has put its past behind it and has a structure in place that is going to make it much more difficult for somebody to lie, cheat, and steal and get away with it at the zoo,' Faber said. Faber added that the previous Board of Directors should have noticed something was off with former leadership's spending. The final report from the auditor included prevention recommendations to the zoo, and Faber said almost every recommendation has been followed. The full report is available to read by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ashtabula hires new finance director
ASHTABULA — City council gave James Goffe a contract to take over as the city's finance director at a special meeting Wednesday. Goffe will start May 19, replacing outgoing finance director Marie Yvrose Augustin. Goffe's contract ends May 19, 2028 and says he will be paid an annual salary of $92,000. Goffe said he is grateful to be coming to work for the city and return to working for local government. Goffe has previous experience working for the Ohio Auditor of State as a local government auditor and the finance director for Canal Fulton in Stark County, before going to law school, he said. 'After law school, I worked in public accounting for a small CPA firm, where my primary client was a non-profit, for whom I performed grants management and advised the director on compliance with federal grants,' he said. Goffe left that position to serve as finance director for University Heights, before going back to the Ohio Auditor of State, he said. He was hired by Witt O'Brien during the COVID-19 pandemic to consult local and state governments on grant funding, he said. 'Since my grant consulting work of the last three and half years, as well as much of my last stint as an auditor, which was during the first two years of COVID, were remote work, it will be nice to work and interact face to face with coworkers that are not my dog,' he said. Goffe said he has always been interested in public service and believes a role as finance director will allow him to use all his skills. 'I am happy to be able to combine all of these skills and knowledge by returning to serve a local government here in northeast Ohio,' he said. The city formed a committee to find a replacement after Augustin submitted her letter of resignation, with 60-day notice. Council President John Roskovics said he was thankful for the committee's work. 'When you hire somebody, it's a lot of meetings, it's a lot of extra time [and] it's a lot of work,' he said. 'I appreciate that.' Ward II Councilperson Terence Guerriero, who was on the committee, credited Ward I Councilperson Kym Foglio for doing most of the work finding and reaching out to candidates. Ward IV Councilperson Jodi Mills agreed. 'We tried to be timely and efficient so that the person coming in could have some training, which is important with the next person,' she said. Ward III Councilperson RoLesia Holman said she wanted council and city government to reach out to Augustin to make sure she is included in the transition. City Solicitor Cecilia Cooper said Augustin could hire Goffe part-time for some of the transition. After the meeting, Foglio said city leaders would reach out to Augustin.
