Journal-News.com

HAMILTON — While the Butler County Republican Party is abuzz about who may be the next county auditor, there's no guarantee the current auditor is going anywhere any time soon.

Auditor Kay Rogers wasn't in her office for a second day Tuesday, Feb. 26, and did not return phone calls. But county officials say she's still at the helm.

Though Rogers has pleaded guilty to two felonies — one count of conspiracy to commit bank and mail fraud, and one count of filing a false income tax return — officials say she's not required to step down until she's sentenced, which could take months.

"Right now we're in business as usual," said auditor's office spokesman Joe Statzer. "Kay is still in charge of the office even though she's not here."

It's a busy time at the office, with staff working on property value re-appraisals and moving ahead with the final piece of the county's fiber optics loop in Middletown.

"I talked with her (Rogers) today about a couple of things going on in the office, and we're moving ahead with things as we normally do," Statzer said.

One of those things is an investigation into alleged misuse of county resources by Commissioner Charles Furmon. Rogers announced last week she suspected Furmon of having county employees on county time use county equipment in planning his golf outing fundraisers. She said she was compiling information to send to the Ohio Attorney General and Ohio Ethics Commission.

Furmon said he did nothing wrong, and accused her of seeking retribution for him calling the FBI about the charges she pleaded guilty to.

While Rogers is holding her county post, she did resign this week as secretary treasurer of the County Auditors Association of Ohio. Association Executive Director Frances Lesser said the situation "doesn't reflect well on public officials."

Meanwhile, GOP leaders are circling, eyeing potential candidates for Rogers' position. If she leaves office, the party's roughly 260-member Central Committee would pick her replacement.

Names being discussed within the party include Liberty Twp. Fiscal Officer Roger Reynolds, who won the GOP endorsement before losing a race to Rogers in 2006; Treasurer Nancy Nix; former Hamilton City Councilman David Davidson, who vied for a vacant treasurer post last year and even state Rep. Courtney Combs.

Reynolds is the only one openly saying he's considering the job. "I've gotten a lot of calls and support urging me to consider the position again," he said.