Ohio court clerk's husband pleads guilty to theft

LANCASTER, Ohio (AP) — The husband of a former central Ohio court clerk has pleaded guilty to theft in office under an agreement with prosecutors before his scheduled trial.

Authorities alleged David Smalley and his wife, former Fairfield County Clerk of Courts Deborah Smalley, stole thousands of dollars in salaries paid for work by county employees on her political campaigns.

Sixty-one-year-old David Smalley of Bloom Township pleaded guilty Monday to theft in office and having an unlawful interest in a public contract. Other counts were dismissed. He’ll be sentenced next month and could face several years in prison.

His wife earlier pleaded guilty to theft in office and attempted theft in office. Prosecutors dismissed 11 remaining charges. Her sentencing is scheduled for next week.