The Madison County grand jury has indicted the former mayor of the village of Mt. Sterling on multiple felony and misdemeanor counts, including theft in office.
Former mayor Charles Neff was indicted on two counts of theft in office, one count of falsification and one count of dereliction of duty.
The Ohio Auditor’s Office says Neff intentionally overpaid Joseph Johnson, a former village administrator who was found guilty of felony theft and other crimes for using village credit cards to buy over $700,000 worth of cars, televisions, and other personal items.
Robert Smith, deputy legal counsel for the auditor’s office, says that Neff’s crimes, as well as Johnson’s, have had a big impact on the village.
"As you can see by the preliminary audit work done by the local government services unit, the general revenue fund for Mt. Sterling is in the red by over $400,000,” Smith says.
An administrative assistant for the village was also indicted on two third-degree felony counts of theft in office.
