Stricter Punishments for Theft in Office Would Better Protect Ohio Taxpayers
State Auditor's Office Identifies Almost $6 Million Stolen Since 2011
March 6, 2019
Steve Wilson News
COLUMBUS—State Senator Steve Wilson (R-Maineville) today joined Senate President Larry Obhof (R-Medina), State Auditor Keith Faber and Matthew DeTemple, Executive Director of the Ohio Township Association, to highlight the importance of legislation to protect Ohioans from dishonest and corrupt public officials. The proposed bill would increase theft in office penalties to better reflect the high standards of the public position they hold.
"I am proud that President Obhof, Auditor Faber and my Senate colleagues identified this bill as one of our top priorities in this new legislative session," said Wilson, sponsor of Senate Bill 10. "I am confident that its passage will be 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."
“Senator Wilson’s bill rightfully addresses the weak, current penalties for theft in office,” added Auditor Faber. “Our trusted government officials should be held to high standards and be met with strict penalties when that trust is betrayed.”
"I am proud that President Obhof, Auditor Faber and my Senate colleagues identified this bill as one of our top priorities in this new legislative session," said Wilson, sponsor of Senate Bill 10. "I am confident that its passage will be 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."
“Senator Wilson’s bill rightfully addresses the weak, current penalties for theft in office,” added Auditor Faber. “Our trusted government officials should be held to high standards and be met with strict penalties when that trust is betrayed.”
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 legislation would 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 explicitly permit the cost of a public audit used to determine the amount of loss to be ordered as part of restitution when the victim is a public entity.
“Each day across Ohio, thousands of locally elected township officials go to work for the residents they serve. The vast majority of them handle the awesome responsibility of managing public funds in an honest and transparent way, but unfortunately, there are exceptions,” said OTA Executive Director, Matthew J. DeTemple. “The Ohio Township Association supports Senate Bill 10 because it is a common sense way to ensure that the public resources of hardworking, taxpaying Ohioans are used only for public purposes.”
To view the full press conference, please visit the Ohio Channel's archive by clicking here. For more information on Senate Bill 10, click here.