There should be no deals in Morehead felony case

Judge Ashley Pike of the Columbiana County Common Pleas Court has made the right decision in asking the Ohio Supreme Court to appoint a visiting judge to preside over the trial of county Health Commissioner Robert Morehead.

After all, Morehead’s ability to retain his public job despite theft in office, theft and forgery charges being brought against him shows that he has friends in high places. The charges relate to his spending practices as health commissioner between December 1996 and February 2004.

Morehead has entered an innocent plea and is free on $20,000 recognizance bond he posted after his arrest earlier this month.

If convicted, he could face up to 71⁄2 years in prison.

Although we have demanded on several occasions that the county board of health fire him, we are opposed to any deals being made now that would allow him to avoid time behind bars. Morehead’s care-less attitude toward a Vindicator investigative series several years ago that revealed his questionable use of a county-issued credit card has led us to conclude that he is undeserving of sympathy or of a break.

Ever since that series was published, we have been urging the board of health to take a strong stand against such abuse of public office — and trust. But, onetime board chairman, Dr. Jack Amato of East Liverpool, went so far as to express his wholehearted support for Morehead.

Even after a report of a special audit by the state auditor’s office contained 5,442 findings for recovery from Morehead and a bonding company, he was permitted to keep his job.

Crime

Misuse of public property is a crime. Morehead used the credit card to make purchases for himself at a golf club in Nashport, Ohio, a department store in Pittsburgh, a souvenir shop in Daytona Beach, while he was on vacation, and from a mail-order company that advertised itself as offering “Tools for Serious Readers.”

The state auditor’s findings also list credit card purchases of a Swiss Army Duetto watch, tickets to a Rolling Stones concert, men’s furnishings, groceries and books.

There’s lots more, which we trust will come out during the trial.

One issue that has caused us concern is the health commissioner’s using public money for many meals at a local restaurant owned by a member of the board of health, Matt Borza. Dr. Amato said he saw nothing wrong with this practice.

The Columbiana County grand jury’s indictment against Morehead says he stole between $500 and $5,000 from the health district.

In 2003, Morehead repaid $5,834 for questionable expenses identified in an earlier audit. A subsequent audit for the years 1996 to 2002 called for him to repay $5,442.

This case represents more than just greed and arrogance on the part of a public employee. It is a reflection of the so-what attitude embraced by some policymakers that has contributed to public distrust in government.

Morehead must be made to pay for his sins — monetarily and with time in jail.