State auditor musn't ignore need for special prosecutor

What's there to think about? Columbiana County Prosecutor Robert Herron is asking for a special prosecutor appointed by the state auditor to delve into health department spending. The need is clear. The justification is spelled out in a special audit of the health commissioner's credit card use. And, Herron has a conflict of interest.
There's nothing for state Auditor Mary Taylor to think about. She should just do what the county prosecutor has requested in a letter sent to her last week.
In January, we urged the new state auditor to determine who in her office was most familiar with health Commissioner Robert Morehead's misuse of public property, which is what former Auditor Betty Montgomery concluded in the special audit. The audit covered the period Jan. 1, 1999, to Dec. 31, 2002, and after detailing the findings against Morehead, Montgomery added these words: "We also referred these matters to the Columbiana County Prosecutor."
However, because Herron is the lawyer for all county departments, including the health department, a special prosecutor is required. And given that the state auditor's office has all the documentation and the evidence of Morehead's misuse of the county-issued credit card, it is the logical agency to assign a special prosecutor to the case.
Indeed, Herron was told some time ago by James Mankin, the assistant chief legal counsel for the state auditor, that he would be willing to handle the case.
Allegations of wrongdoing
That is why we are hard-pressed to understand why Taylor hasn't jumped at the chance to show the public that she, like her predecessor, will not ignore allegations of wrongdoing by public servants.
Montgomery's special audit contained 5,442 in findings for recovery against health Commissioner Morehead and a bonding company. Among the items the audit listed as being purchased with the county credit card were a Swiss Army Duetto watch, tickets to a Rolling Stones concert, men's furnishings, groceries and books. The private use of a government credit card is a crime.
Several years ago, The Vindicator first revealed that the health commissioner had used the 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 a mail order company that advertised itself as offering "Tools for Serious Readers."
Morehead has repaid 5,834 for questionable charges in 2003, but he has not been punished by the Columbiana County Board of Health. In fact, in the wake of The Vindicator's three-month investigation, the health board, led at the time by Dr. Jack Amato of East Liverpool, gave Morehead its wholehearted support.
This case demanded a special prosecutor after the newspaper laid out in detail all the wrongdoing. Yet, years have passed -- and we're still waiting.
The special audit ordered by Montgomery has laid the groundwork for the special prosecutor. Her successor, Taylor, should make the appointment. Now.
But if she doesn't, we call on Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann to take over the case. Misuse of public property by a public official is a crime.