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Health chief’s trial to begin
A defense attorney wants to continue the health commissioner’s trial.
LISBON — A filing in the criminal case against Columbiana County Health Commissioner Robert Morehead sheds more light on his spending habits using county dollars.
Morehead is set to go on trial Aug. 12 in county common pleas court. He’s been charged with one count of theft in office, one count of theft and five counts of forgery. If convicted, he could face 71‚Ñ2 years in prison.
James Manken, the assistant chief legal counsel for the state auditor’s office, has declined to comment on details of the theft and theft-in-office charges. He is handing the prosecution because county Prosecutor Robert Herron represents the health board.
But Atty. James Hartford, Morehead’s lawyer, has filed documents with the court listing items that were purchased for work.
Books that were purchased for “leadership and staff development” include, “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff,” “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff for Men,” “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership,” and “Integrity.”
Other books included a copy of the Constitution of the United States, the “Oxford Essential Quotation Dictionary,” “The Ch Handbook” on Ch Guevara’s revolutionary activities, “Teach Yourself Ethics” and “Shut Up and Sing.”
Other items that were purchased include books on Christmas, datebooks, two pocket dictionaries and a 2004 wolf wildlife calendar.
Prices of the purchases were not listed in the filing.
Hartford declined to comment Tuesday.
Emily Frazee, deputy press secretary for the state auditor, said Manken still isn’t commenting on the information used in the felony indictments.
She added, however, “We hope to wrap this up as soon as possible.”
Other defense witnesses are unidentified record keepers at the following restaurants: Damon’s, Dominos Pizza, Donato’s Pizza, Montana Mining Restaurant, Gaslite Restaurant, Chili’s, Outback Steakhouse, Naples Spaghetti Restaurant, Das Dutch House, and Red Lobster.
Again, details were not provided.
Earlier this year, the state auditor’s office issued another finding against Morehead for $681. Frazee said sum has not been repaid.
The review of Morehead’s spending began with a Vindicator examination of county travel costs a few years ago.
wilkinson@vindy.com