ATHENS, Ohio (AP) — A southeast Ohio sheriff was indicted
Friday on 25 counts, including felony charges of theft in office,
tampering with records and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity.
The allegations against Patrick Kelly date to 2008, the year he was first elected sheriff in Athens
County.
Kelly,
63, is accused of improperly using public funds to buy meals and
personal apparel, selling county property to a scrapyard, stealing
copper wire from a county garage and failing to keep a cashbook tracking
money he received in an official capacity, among other allegations. The
indictment also said members of his campaign committees didn’t properly
handle and report donations and funneled money through a personal bank
account.
Kelly, who was the only person charged in the case Friday, denies wrongdoing.
"I
have not committed or attempted to commit a criminal act, nor have any
of my employees," he wrote in a statement released by his office.
Kelly, a Democrat, also accused Republican Attorney General Mike DeWine’s office of operating with a
political agenda.
DeWine
said that the case began with an assault allegation and that his staff
investigated at the request of local authorities. County Prosecutor
Keller Blackburn, who was elected as a Democrat, also had raised
concerns about an audit and the disposal of county records.
DeWine
said a grand jury of county residents heard from more than 25 witnesses
before issuing the public corruption charges against Kelly.
"No
one should take any pleasure in what happened today," DeWine said. "When
any elected official is indicted, it is a very sad day."
DeWine
said he would forward information about the charges to the chief justice
of the Ohio Supreme Court, beginning the process to determine whether
Kelly would have to step aside while the case is pending.
Kelly’s arraignment is scheduled Feb. 10.
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