Former Columbiana Co. health commissioner begins jail term

LISBON — Robert Morehead, the former Columbiana County health commissioner, has reported to prison for theft in office but not before getting a few more public dollars.

Morehead was sentenced on Feb. 13 to 60 days in the Eastern Ohio Correction Center in Wintersville.

He reported to the facility this morning. He will turn 60 on Sunday.

In December, Morehead pleaded guilty to theft in office, a fifth-degree felony, for buying items with county money that had no connection with his work.

Morehead made an Alford plea, in which a defendant maintains his innocence but admits there is evidence that could convict him.

As health commissioner, Morehead had been paid about $89,700 a year.

Morehead also had served on the board of directors of the Buckeye Water District, which handles a variety of water projects and is expected to play a role in supplying water to the $6 billion Baard Energy plant near Wellsville that would turn coal into liquid fuel.

Morehead missed the district’s meeting in December, but attended the meetings in January and February.

Morehead was paid $200 a month for both January and February, according to Sarah Crouch, Buckeye’s fiscal officer.

Morehead also was paid $75 for a special water district meeting on March 4. He resigned March 8.

For the complete story, see Friday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com