Judge sets August trial date for county health commissioner

LISBON — Columbiana County Health Commissioner Robert Morehead is scheduled to go on trial at 9 a.m. Aug. 12 in county common pleas court.

Judge John R. Milligan Jr., a retired appeals court judge from North Canton, set the date Friday during a hearing in Lisbon.

Judge Milligan was appointed to hear the case after Columbiana County Judge C. Ashley Pike, who was randomly assigned the case, stepped down to avoid any conflict of interest.

James Manken, the assistant chief legal counsel for the state auditor’s office, is handling the case. County Prosecutor Robert Herron asked for a special counsel since the prosecutor’s office normally represents the health board.

Morehead is charged with one count of theft in office, one count of theft and five counts of forgery. He faces up to 71⁄2 years in prison if convicted. He is accused of improperly spending health department funds between 1994 and 1998.

Morehead is free on a recognizance bond and continues to work.