Wilson Announces Senate Passage of Bill Creating Stricter Punishments for Theft in Office
March 14, 2019
Steve Wilson News
COLUMBUS—State Senator Steve Wilson (R-Maineville) yesterday joined his Senate colleagues in passing 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.
"It is encouraging to see our chamber once again pass this important piece of legislation that holds corrupt public officials more accountable," 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."
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 require the offender to pay back the forensic audit cost when the victim is a public entity.
To view yesterday's Senate Session, please visit the Ohio Channel's archive by clicking here. For more information on Senate Bill 10, click here.
"It is encouraging to see our chamber once again pass this important piece of legislation that holds corrupt public officials more accountable," 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."
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 require the offender to pay back the forensic audit cost when the victim is a public entity.
To view yesterday's Senate Session, please visit the Ohio Channel's archive by clicking here. For more information on Senate Bill 10, click here.