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Mayor of Bridgeport Suspended After Records Tampering, Theft in Office Charges
By: Michelle Rotuno-Johnson
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BRIDGEPORT, Ohio (WOUB) — The mayor in the Village of Bridgeport has been suspended from office after alleged theft in office.
A commission designated by the Ohio Supreme Court on Tuesday made the ruling against David W. Smith.
Auditor of State Keith Faber had appointed a special prosecutor to investigate Smith, who was indicted on February 6 on a felony count of tampering with records, felony theft in office and two misdemeanor counts of conflict of interest.
The Belmont County prosecutor designated the State Auditor’s office to investigate the case.
Smith allegedly took cash payments from the Mayor’s Court between June 2016 and November 2019, according to a press release from Faber’s office.
He also allegedly got a Bridgeport employee to take care of his personal errands, including child care and banking, while on village time.
Smith took office in November 2015.
He is suspended from office while the case in Belmont County court is pending, or until a new mayor “is elected and qualified to serve the next term of office,” according to the release from Faber’s office.