Former health commissioner gets an early Christmas gift

A year ago, we expressed our strong opposition to any deals in the criminal case against Columbiana County Health Commissioner Robert Morehead that would enable him to avoid jail time,

So, does a possible one-year sentence satisfy us? Not at all. The agreement Morehead reached with the special prosecutor, Atty. James Manken of the Ohio Auditor’s Office, is a Christmas gift the former health commissioner does not deserve. He has been more than naughty. His arrogance in the face of theft in office, theft and forgery charges stemming from the conduct of his public duties justified his being brought down several notches.

A year behind bars does not meet the definition of punishment fitting the crime. Had a deal not been made and had he been found guilty of the seven felony counts, he could have been sentenced to 71‚Ñ2 years in prison.

That’s why we aren’t applauding the outcome of this case. And no, it isn’t because it was a Vindicator investigative series several years ago that shed light on Morehead’s questionable use of a county-issued credit card.

His ability to retain his public job despite the criminal charges brought against him suggested to us that he has friends in high places, especially on the board of health. We had long called for him to be fired or to resign, but he refused to do the right thing — and members of the health board, led by Chairman Dr. Jack Amato, were his enablers.

However, in the wake of his guilty plea, Morehead resigned last week. The board of health will meet Wednesday and we suggest that those members who continue to believe he did nothing wrong — Dr. Amato was quoted in The Vindicator as saying, “I still believe that Bob Morehead is not a thief” — should also step down.

This see-no-evil attitude is why government is viewed with such disdain.

Morehead will be sentenced Feb. 13 and faces up to one year in prison. He will also have to repay thousands of dollars to the county.

Not taking responsibility

Given that our no-deals demand of a year ago was ignored, we contend he deserves the entire year’s sentence. Why? Because even now he refuses to take responsibility for his corruption.

The type of plea he has entered allows him to maintain his innocence. He only admits that there is evidence that could convict him.

Misuse of public property is a crime. Morehead used the county’s 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 listed credit card purchases of a Swiss Army Duetto watch, tickets to a Rolling Stones concert, men’s furnishings, groceries and books.

We had hoped for a full-blown trial because we wanted the extent of Morehead’s criminal behavior to be made public.

We also were looking forward to members of the board of health who protected the commissioner being held to account. That won’t happen now.

Under the plea agreement, Morehead could be sentenced to prison, a low-security facility, or given probation. Probation is out of the question — as is a low-security facility.

Crimes by individuals in positions of public power must be treated as seriously by the criminal justice system as those committed by common criminals. Indeed, every time a public official who has violated the public trust gets a tap on the wrist, others slopping at the public trough are emboldened.

As for the health board, a review of its behavior in this whole sordid mess is demanded. As we have done in the past, we urge the Columbiana County Health Advisory Council, which appoints the five board of health members, to take another look at Amato and his colleagues.