Governor Signs Wilson Bill Creating Stricter Punishments for Theft in Office
January 11, 2021
Steve Wilson News
COLUMBUS—On Friday the Governor signed Senate Bill 10, legislation sponsored by State Senator Steve Wilson (R-Maineville), to protect Ohioans from dishonest and corrupt public officials. The bill will increase theft in office penalties to better reflect the high standards of the public position they hold.
"Simply put, this bill holds corrupt public officials more accountable," said Wilson. "The signing of this bill is a major victory for Ohio's taxpayers. There should not, and cannot, be any question that elected officials are held to a higher moral and ethical standard of conduct, and this bill takes the right steps to give Ohioans that assurance."
Currently, penalties for theft in office are capped at a third degree felony for all amounts of loss greater than $7,500. This legislation will increase the penalties to an F-2 for stolen amounts between $150,000 and $750,000 and an F-1 for amounts of loss greater than $750,000.
The new law will also maintain that anyone who is found guilty of theft in office would be disqualified from holding any future public office, employment or position of trust in the state. In addition to stricter punishments, the bill would require the offender to pay back the forensic audit cost when the victim is a public entity.
For more information on Senate Bill 10, click here.
"Simply put, this bill holds corrupt public officials more accountable," said Wilson. "The signing of this bill is a major victory for Ohio's taxpayers. There should not, and cannot, be any question that elected officials are held to a higher moral and ethical standard of conduct, and this bill takes the right steps to give Ohioans that assurance."
Currently, penalties for theft in office are capped at a third degree felony for all amounts of loss greater than $7,500. This legislation will increase the penalties to an F-2 for stolen amounts between $150,000 and $750,000 and an F-1 for amounts of loss greater than $750,000.
The new law will also maintain that anyone who is found guilty of theft in office would be disqualified from holding any future public office, employment or position of trust in the state. In addition to stricter punishments, the bill would require the offender to pay back the forensic audit cost when the victim is a public entity.
For more information on Senate Bill 10, click here.