Columbiana Co. health commissioner indicted

LISBON — A Columbiana County grand jury has indicted county Health Commissioner Robert Morehead on charges of theft in office, theft and forgery in connection with his spending practices as health commissioner between December 1996 and February 2004.

Morehead, 58, of Riverside Avenue, Wellsville, was arrested Tuesday on a secret indictment issued last week by the grand jury and was released after signing for a $20,000 personal recognizance bond. He is scheduled for arraignment on the charges Dec. 20 before Columbiana County Common Pleas Court Judge Ashley C. Pike.

The indictment says Morehead stole between $500 and $5,000 from the Columbiana County Health District between Dec. 10, 1996 and Feb. 19, 2004. These thefts resulted in the theft in office and theft charges, which are fourth and fifth-degree felonies.

Two audits conducted by the Ohio Auditor’s Office determined that Morehead made a variety of inappropriate purchases at a Barnes & Noble bookstore, and bought Rolling Stones concert tickets, a watch, and paid hotel and meal expenses. The audits also found that he took cash advances on a county credit card.

Morehead was also indicted on five counts of forgery, fifth degree felonies, accusing him of defrauding the health district by endorsing receipts at Super America and Farmer Bill’s Carryout in amounts ranging from $12 to $17.17. The forgery charges are fifth degree felonies. Those offenses are alleged to have occurred between February 24 and Oct. 6, 1998.

If convicted on all the charges, Morehead could go to prison for up to 7 1/2 years.