Ex-health chief gets 60 days for theft
The state’s attorney said health board members ‘were militant’ during the Morehead investigation.
LISBON — Robert Morehead, the former Columbiana County health commissioner, simply stated at his sentencing that his theft-in-office charge boiled down to sloppy bookkeeping on his part.
Morehead, 59, of Wellsville, was sentenced Friday in common pleas court to serve 60 days at the Eastern Ohio Correction Center in Wintersville. The facility houses nonviolent prisoners and provides programming to avoid repeated crimes. He could have received a one-year sentence.
The finality of the case comes after more than 4 1‚Ñ2 years of investigation by state officials started by a Vindicator probe into county travel expenses. The county prosecutor’s office formally asked the state auditor’s office to investigate in 2004.
Ohio Auditor Mary Taylor, in a prepared statement, said, “I am proud my office played a key role in Mr. Morehead’s conviction, and we will continue to work hard to hold public officials accountable to the taxpayers in our state.”
State auditors issued findings for recovery from Morehead that he improperly used a government-issued credit card as well as made other questionable purchases. The audit showed he owed the county health district $5,053 for fiscal year 2003 and $5,442 for years 1996 through 2002. The state initiated a special audit for those years to see if more tax dollars were misspent.
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.
A heavyset Morehead, who was using a cane, told the judge he has diabetes and high blood pressure.
Morehead is to report to the Wintersville facility March 12.
Judge Milligan told Morehead to get his health checked before reporting.
In December, Morehead had entered an Alford plea in which a defendant maintains his innocence but admits there is evidence that could convict him.
Morehead told the judge, “It was an honest misunderstanding in bookkeeping.”
Atty. James T. Manken of the state auditor’s office was appointed to handle the case because county Prosecutor Robert Herron represents the health board.
Manken pressed Morehead about his guilty plea. Morehead finally said he made the plea because, “You can only take so much.”
Dr. Jack Amato, county health board president, also blamed the improper spending on poor bookkeeping. Dr. Amato said of Morehead: “He may be a sloppy, lousy bookkeeper, but he’s no crook.”
Manken pointed out that Morehead bought several items that had nothing to do with health board business. Among those items were a wine guide and several books.
Manken said that when state auditors met with health board officials during the investigation, board officials “were militant.”
Judge Milligan tried to draw out Morehead to speak about his actions in the case since he said there was no direct victim.
“It’s the whole community, it’s whole body politic” that was affected, the judge said.
In his sentence, the judge said there would be no probation.
During the hearing, Morehead’s lawyer, James T. Hartford, gave a check for $2,022 toward restitution.
The state auditor’s office said Morehead still owes $8,170.
wilkinson@vindy.com