News
Prosecutor: Others Could Be Implicated in Nelsonville Mismanagement Case
By: WOUB News Team
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio — An investigation into financial mismanagement in Nelsonville may not end at the indictment of a deputy auditor, according to the Athens County Prosecutor.
Stephanie Wilson, of Stewart, is reportedly cooperating with investigators as they dig deeper into the city’s practices.
“I’m not sure whether other people will be criminally charged for it,” Athens County Prosecutor Keller Blackburn said. “But it does appear that there are financial practices that are contrary to state law as well as to city practices.”
Wilson was indicted Monday for alleged tampering with evidence, forgery and telecommunications fraud. She was responsible for payroll since 2012 and is accused of fabricating payroll records to have around $40,000 electronically transferred to an account under her control. Her arraignment is scheduled for February 26 at 9 a.m.
The case was reported to the prosecutor’s office by Nelsonville Auditor Taylor Sappington after he found irregularities in the payroll and direct deposit reports.
Blackburn requested the State Auditor’s Office assist with the investigation, as needed.
“They’re very interested in helping out and I expect they’ll work to help Nelsonville correct [financial practices] and we’ll go from there on whether individuals need charged or there are findings for recovery against them.”