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A former Meigs County sheriff is accused of theft and other crimes involving the withdrawal of public funds for personal use

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (Statehouse News Bureau) – A former Meigs County Sheriff has been indicted by a grand jury on charges related to taking public fund for personal use.

Two students interview former Meigs County Sheriff Keith Wood in his office.
Former Meigs County Sheriff Keith Wood is interviewed several years ago in his office. [WOUB File Photo]
Keith Wood faces felony counts of theft in office, telecommunications fraud, and misuse of credit cards and misdemeanor counts of misuse of credit cards and soliciting or accepting improper compensation, according to Ohio Auditor Keith Faber.

The Auditor of State’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) began its investigation of Wood in August 2022, after receiving a complaint from Meigs County Prosecutor James Stanley about the potential misuse of money from the Law Enforcement Trust Fund.

According to a press release from Faber’s office, SIU confirmed that Wood used ATMs to withdraw cash from the fund at different locations in Ohio and West Virginia.

The indictment comes months after Wood announced he would resign as sheriff in November 2022, citing health and family as reason for the decision.

Former Nelsonville Police Chief Scott Fitch was hired to be Wood’s replacement.

In a press release, Fitch said the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office is cooperating with the Ohio Auditor’s Office in its investigation and has given them fill access to all financial and other documents pertaining to the case.

An arraignment for Wood in Meigs County Common Pleas Court will be set at a later date.

Faber’s office said tips related to fraudulent use of public funds can be submitted anonymously online or at 866-372-8364.