County GOP chair pleads to politicking on state dime

A former administrator with the Ohio Industrial Commission and chairman of the Marion County Republican Party pleaded guilty this week to theft in office and agreed to pay restitution after an Ohio Inspector General investigation found him handling his political responsibilities at work.

John Matthews, former director of claims support for the Industrial Commission, made or received 541 phone calls and sent 1,220 text messages from October 2015 to January 2016 while at work, according to the OIG.

ORIGINAL REPORT: State employee fired after accused of sleeping, politicking on clock

Matthews pleaded guilty in Franklin County Common Pleas Court and was ordered to pay $4,062 in restitution to the state, plus court costs, and receive a year of probation.

“People who abuse the public trust will be held accountable for their actions,” said Ohio Inspector General Randall Meyer in a statement this week.

RECENT I-TEAM STORIES:

About the Author