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Trial date set for health official
Officials said he charged Rolling Stones concerts and took cash advances on a county credit card.
LISBON — Columbiana County Health Commissioner Robert Morehead will go on trial on theft charges on Dec. 9.
He is accused of using county money for personal gain.
A pretrial hearing held Wednesday to make sure any issues were resolved was over in less than an hour.
Morehead, who has continued to work during the investigation and after his indictment, was accompanied by his lawyer, James Hartford.
James Manken, the assistant chief legal counsel for the state auditor’s office, is handling the prosecution because county Prosecutor Robert Herron represents the health board.
Judge John R. Milligan Jr., a retired appeals court judge from North Canton, was appointed to hear the case after county judges stepped down to avoid any conflict of interest.
Morehead is charged with one count of theft in office, one count of theft and five counts of forgery. If convicted, he could face a maximum of 71‚Ñ2 years in prison.
Manken told the judge that most of the documents involved in the case “are in the hands of the Columbiana County Auditor’s Office.”
Judge Milligan asked the lawyers, “Are there motions that need to be resolved today?”
Both lawyers said no.
Manken and Hartford have declined to discuss the case.
Morehead’s indictment says he stole between $500 and $5,000 from the Columbiana County Health District between Dec. 10, 1996, and Feb. 19, 2004. The thefts resulted in the theft in office and theft charges, which are fourth- and fifth-degree felonies.
Two audits conducted by the Ohio auditor’s office determined that Morehead made a variety of inappropriate purchases at a Barnes & Noble bookstore, bought Rolling Stones concert tickets, a watch, and paid hotel and meal expenses. The audits also found that he took cash advances on a county credit card.
Emily Frazee, deputy press secretary for the state auditor, has said the theft in office and theft charges relate to many — but not all — of the items found in the audits. She said the amounts Morehead is accused of taking are between $4,000 and $5,000.
Morehead also was indicted on five counts of forgery, fifth-degree felonies, accusing him of defrauding the health district by endorsing receipts at Super America and Farmer Bill’s Carryout — gas stations — in amounts ranging from $12 to $17.17. He was submitting receipts for the gas and also receiving mileage reimbursement, or getting double payment, Frazee said.
Those offenses are alleged to have occurred between Feb. 24 and Oct. 6, 1998.
Frazee said information presented at the trial would clarify the charges.
Hartford has filed documents with the court listing items that were purchased for work. They included books on self-improvement and Christmas.
Hartford’s court filings also include possible defense witnesses who are record keepers for a number of restaurants.
wilkinson@vindy.com