Posted on 09/29/2015 12:39:44 PM PDT by robowombat
Edited on 09/29/2015 4:16:24 PM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]
Origional title: Former Preble Co. historical society director facing charges
Former Preble Co. historical society director facing charges photo Melanie Jane Lightner, 65, appeared Tuesday morning in Preble County Common Pleas Court. (John Bedell/Staff) Breaking News StaffThe Ohio Auditor of State’s Office issued a statement indicating the indictment against Lightner is the result of a collaboration among the Auditor of State, Preble County Sheriff Mike Simpson and Preble County Prosecutor Martin Votel.
The nine felony charges against Lightner: Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity Securing Writings by Deception 2 charges of Grand Theft Forgery Attempted Grand Theft Theft from an Elderly Person or Disabled Adult Additional Money Laundering Prohibitions Filing Incomplete, False, and Fraudulent Returns
Ohio Auditor Dave Yost said in a prepared statement the case against Lightner was like “a ball of yarn that just kept unraveling.” “She stole from taxpayers, the Preble County Historical Society, and even worse, she took advantage of an elderly donor,” Yost’s statement reads. Sheriff’ Simpson said in a prepared statement that they worked to identify potential victims and to “have a complete picture of what was occurring.” The state auditor reports the Preble County Historical Society did not employ a bookkeeper after 2006 and in 2014, the society’s trustees found Lightner had “misappropriated” approximately $14,000 in grant money from OCFC.
The trustees contacted the sheriff’s office, which led to a state audit. The audit revealed Lightner used her position to “hide financial transactions” and open accounts without the trustees’ approval, according to the state auditor’s office.
“She used forged board signatures to open a line of credit with Fifth Third Bank and charged more than $225,000, which was ultimately paid off by an elderly donor,” the state auditor’s statement reads. Lightner allegedly stole more than $64,000 from the Preble County Historical Society and laundered $13,710 from the elderly donor, according to the state auditor’s office. The state auditor further alleges that Lightner failed to declare income on her tax return and in September 2014, she demanded repayment of $41,465 from the board of trustees for loans she supposedly made to the historical society.
The state audit showed the so-called loans came from the fraudulent line of credit, according to the state auditor’s office.
FIRST REPORT The former executive director of the Preble County Historical Society has denied charges of theft, corruption and fraud during an eight-year period while serving in the position.
A secret indictment was handed down on Sept. 9 against Melanie Jane Lightner for nine felony counts, including engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, securing writings by deception and additional money laundering prohibitions, according to court records.
The 65-year-old Lightner pleaded not guilty to the charges this morning in Preble County Common Pleas Court.
The indictment alleges that Lightner acquired various amounts of money, ranging from $7,500 to about $41,500, through fraudulent activity as director of the historical society. The judge ordered that Lightner be booked into the Preble County Jail and released on her own recognizance.
The trial is set to begin in December.
- Link: www.whio.com/news
I’m sorry, but we are going to have to start hanging thieves.
There are too many of them and they are not afraid of prison.
It is out of hand.
I dont give my location out but I assume your from Preble County? I am a former resident. Back then Eaton was the big town and basketball was life.
I visited Pork Fest when I was an undergrad in Kentucky. My roommate was from Eaton. As I remember, the Pork Queen was quite the babe.
This is just the tip of the iceberg, I’m afraid.
I think it is time for a nationwide joint investigation by states and the feds in to the activities of historical societies throughout the country.
Clearly, they are hotbeds of corruption...
Dang, you are in the middle of, well, your just in the middle. I was in ABQ and OKC a few weeks ago.
They don’t even raise hogs out there anymore. I don’t even try to tell people my county fair was the Pork Festival because they immediately assume some sort of chubby girl thing.
Bygone era for me. Guns in shop class, fights behind the gym, a knife in every pocket, bad@ss male teachers who kept discipline with huge paddles. And we got a great education to boot.
democrat?......
Definitely Guilty.
Preble Co. historical society theft case ‘ball of yarn’
We fixed it, they changed the title at the link.
Thanks for the heads up.
this is the third person in Preble Co. who has been charged with stealing money in the last couple of years!! Something in the water?
I like the new title better! At least they added some humor!
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