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‘Athens Independent’ reporters analyze case against former AMHA Director
< < Back to athens-independent-reporters-analyze-case-against-former-amha-directorThe former director of the Athens Metropolitan Housing Authority, Jodi Rickard, was indicted this week on seven felonies associated with the alleged theft of $1.5 million from the AMHA since 2015.
She faced Judge George McCarthy of the Athens County Common Pleas Court for arraignment, pleaded not guilty, and a large bond with multiple conditions was set as a prerequisite for her release from the Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail.
The Athens County Independent, a new non-profit news organization in Athens, has been reporting on this story from the beginning of the investigation in November 2022.
Reporters Dani Kington and Sam Stecklow join host Tom Hodson to discuss the case on this edition of Conversations from Studio B.
They talk about the initial tip that started the state’s investigation, the search warrants that were executed by investigators and the legal procedures that are forthcoming.
Kington and Stecklow give insights as to what the alleged stolen money went for such as Rickard’s credit card bills, to pay off her mortgage and to install an in-ground swimming pool at her residence.
They also discuss shortfalls in the financial oversight of AMHA by its Board of Directors.
As you listen to this edition of Studio B, you may follow along with copies of the indictment plus read through the search warrants and the latest AMHA audit released this month. All are available at: TheAthensIndependent.com