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Ex-health chief begins jail term for theft
The former health commissioner served on a separate public board.
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 Feb. 13 to 60 days in the Eastern Ohio Correction Center in Wintersville.
Morehead, who will turn 60 Sunday, reported to the facility Thursday morning.
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 March 4. He resigned March 8.
Columbiana County Prosecutor Robert Herron said that under Ohio law, people convicted of theft in office are barred permanently from holding public office.
But Morehead could legally continue to serve on the water district pending the filing of a final, appealable order of his conviction, Herron added.
The only questionable payment may be for the March 4 meeting, the prosecutor said.
Judge John R. Milligan Jr., a retired appeals court judge from North Canton, received the filing March 2, according to court records. The judge was appointed to hear the case after county judges stepped down to avoid any conflict of interest.
Al DeAngelis, the manager of the water district, said he had wondered about Morehead’s continued service after Morehead’s plea. But, he said, “I really didn’t get involved in it.”
Fred Emmerling, the attorney for the water district, said he would have to look at Judge Milligan’s order to make sure any payments were proper.
Herron had stepped aside in Morehead’s prosecution since the prosecutor legally represents the health board. Atty. James Manken of the state auditor’s office was appointed as a special prosecutor to handle the case.
Manken sent a letter earlier this week to Morehead’s lawyer, James Hartford, saying that Morehead should stop any appearance of official action.
Emily Frazee, a spokeswoman for the state auditor’s office, said they were waiting for a reply from Hartford on whether his client had complied.
Hartford did not return a call from The Vindicator.
Morehead blamed the purchases while he was health commissioner, which included a wine guide, novels and golf accessories, on sloppy record keeping. The investigation was sparked in 2004 after a Vindicator review of county travel expenses.
The state auditor’s office said Morehead still owes $8,170 in restitution.
wilkinson@vindy.com