Prosecutor to request state audit

Robert Herron is asking that department records be seized by deputies.
LISBON -- Columbiana County Prosecutor Robert Herron is requesting a state audit and ordering a criminal probe to determine if county health Commissioner Robert Morehead improperly used his county-issued credit card.
Herron decided to take those actions after learning of The Vindicator's findings regarding Morehead's use of the Visa card in 2003 to make several hundred dollars in personal buys, including novels, golf accessories and Christmas gifts.
Morehead, who has denied any criminal or unethical acts, said he repaid at least some credit charges. But he offered little proof that he had done so when quizzed about the buys by The Vindicator.
He said he used the county card for personal charges because it was handier than using his own credit card. In response to Vindicator questions, he said he would no longer make personal buys with it, even with intent to repay.
The 2003 purchases detailed by The Vindicator "strongly suggest the improper use of a credit card," Herron said.
To seek investigation
"I'm not going to make an accusation of criminal conduct until I see the results of an audit and an investigation," he added.
Misusing a county-issued card could constitute theft in office, he said.
Theft of less than $500 is a fifth-degree felony punishable by a maximum term of a year in jail. Stealing more than $5,000 is a third-degree felony and could bring up to five years in prison.
Herron said that Morehead, 55, "has served the county well for many years. But these types of allegations are very troubling and require a full investigation and audit to determine if there was any inappropriate conduct."
Herron said he expected to instruct Sheriff Dave Smith today to begin a criminal probe and, as soon as possible, to seize all travel and expense papers from the health department so they would be available for auditors to scrutinize.
He said he expects Morehead's cooperation, which, if granted, won't necessitate getting a warrant.
The state auditor's office will be called Monday morning and asked to audit Morehead's spending and the health department's travel and expense policies as soon as possible, Herron said.
"They need to come in immediately," he added.
Herron said he will recommend that an audit examine spending going back several years.
Questions
It's unclear how long Morehead has had the county-issued card. Its debts are paid through the county auditor's office with money from taxes and fees for services provided by the health department.
The agency is governed by a board, which is permitted to formulate travel and spending policies, including creating an expense account for an official, Herron said.
But he added that any spending of public money "has to be for a reasonable public purpose. When you talk travel expenses, it gets to be a fine line what is a public use," Herron said.
Morehead made no mention of having an expense account when questioned by The Vindicator. He was asked to provide a copy of the health department's travel policy but failed to do so.