Columbiana councilman jailed over divorce

LISBON — Columbiana Councilman William R. Kimpel is serving a 30-day sentence in Columbiana County Jail for failing to pay his ex-wife under the terms of their divorce.

Kimpel, 48, of Terra Verde Avenue, began serving the contempt of court sentence Monday that was ordered by Judge C. Ashley Pike of Columbiana County Common Pleas Court.

Court records indicate Kimpel was to pay $150,000 to his ex-wife, Wendy J. Kimpel, whose address in court records is listed in care of a couple living on Kelly Park Road, Columbiana.

Kimpel’s term on council will expire in 2009.

Kimpel has also been involved in litigation over a 4-carat diamond valued at about $2 million.

Craig E. and Hilda Newbold of Columbiana have appealed a separate civil case relating to Kimpel to the Seventh District Court of Appeals. The couple bought the diamond from Kimpel as an investment and asked him to sell it.

Kimpel later used the diamond in a transaction with Esteco Inc. of Columbiana. Judge Pike has recently ruled that Kimpel betrayed the Newbolds, but that Esteco had properly filed documents with the state protecting their interest in the stone.

The appeals court has temporarily stopped Judge Pike’s ruling that Esteco can sell the diamond.