“We’re doing the case as quickly as we can,” said Gmoser.
In November 2024, Gmoser told Journal-News the investigation file was “voluminous.”
No charges have been filed as of July 30.
Central Connections at 3907 Central Ave. found itself in financial difficulty after Rodgers, who was hired as executive director in 2021, was terminated in July 2023.
After Rodgers was hired in 2021, she was the driving force behind a $1.5 million renovation of the facility that included a recreation center with full restaurant and bar, bridal suite and rooms to host weddings and a fitness room. Those improvements were needed to attract outside events to generate revenue to fund programming, Rodgers said.
Vincent “Scott” Smith of Sabina, the husband of Rodgers, was charged with seven counts of passing bad checks, all felonies, according to the Middletown Division of Police and court records.
In Oct. 2023, Butler County grand jury declined to indict Smith of passing bad check charges.
In 2023, the city purchased Central Connections for $1.8 million with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds from the Middletown Area Senior Citizens Inc.
This marked the second time Middletown residents invested in the center. Voters approved two five-year, 1-mill senior levies that generated $7 million to provide or maintain senior services at the center. The levy expired on Dec. 31, 2022 after 10 years.
Counting the $1.8 million purchase price, $8.8 million in taxpayers’ money has been spent on the center since 2012.
The space is now The Event Center of Middletown, available for weddings, corporate events and social gatherings.
There is also weekly senior programming available, offering tai chi, chess, billiards, line dancing, yoga and more. Membership is $80/year. Angie Smith has managed the event center since Sept. 2024.
Writers Rick McCrabb and Lauren Pack contributed to this story.
Central Connections: A timeline
Nov. 6, 2012: Middletown taxpayers pass a five-year, 1-mill levy to provide or maintain senior services at the Middletown Area Senior Center.
Aug. 16, 2015: The name of the Middletown Area Senior Center is changed to Central Connections.
May 2, 2017: Middletown taxpayers renew a five-year, 1-mill levy to provide or maintain senior services at the center.
November 2021: Diane Rodgers is hired as executive director. She says she moved from Reno, Nev., where she oversaw a senior center and worked with the homeless population, to be closer to her daughter who lives in New York.
July 29, 2022: Rodgers signs for a mortgage loan through First Financial Bank for $450,000, then does a loan modification that increases the amount to $650,000, according to the Butler County Recorder’s Office. Her signature and job title are listed on the loan that matures on July 29, 2024.
Nov. 1, 2022: Ribbon-cutting is held to celebrate the $1.5 million in renovations of Central Connections, 3907 Central Ave.
Dec. 31, 2022: Senior citizens center levy expires after generating $7 million over 10 years.
May 5, 2023: D.E.R. Development Co. files a lien against Central Connections, saying the company is owed $266,594.52, plus allowable interest.
May 31, 2023: Rodgers files vandalism report at Central Connections. Middletown police say that leads to the investigation of center’s finances.
July 24, 2023: The Council on Aging terminates its three-year contract with Central Connections. Fifty employees are laid off.
July 25, 2023: Nearly 75 senior citizens and former and current employees of Central Connections attend a meeting in the café with Rick Fishbaugh, board president, and Rodgers.
July 27, 2023: Rodgers is terminated as executive director of Central Connections and escorted out of the building by Middletown police.
Aug. 3, 2023: During a special City Council meeting and after an executive session, City Manager Paul Lolli announces council has agreed to move forward with the possible purchase of the Central Connections building and land and for an unknown amount that will come out of the city’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fund.
Aug. 5, 2023: In an email to the Journal-News, attorney Tyrone Borger, who is representing Rodgers, writes that he and his client have been “informed that there is an ongoing investigation. As such, while my client would like to comment and clear up several misconceptions. She is taking my advice and refusing to comment on any allegations at this time.”
Aug. 9, 2023: Middletown Police Chief David Birk says his department is working with the Ohio attorney general’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation into the criminal investigation into the finances of Central Connections.
Aug. 11, 2023: Central Connections announces more layoffs and the closing of the cafe and bar. The hours are reduced to 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Aug. 15, 2023: City Council votes unanimously to allow City Manager Paul Lolli to enter into a lease agreement with Central Connections. The lease is $50 per month. By the end of 2023, the city has the right to purchase the building and property for $1.8 million.
Aug. 21, 2023: Vincent “Scott” Smith, husband of the former executive director, arrested and charged with seven counts of passing bad checks, all felonies.
Aug. 23, 2023: Smith appears in Middletown Municipal Court for his arraignment. Judge James Sherron sets Smith’s OR bond at $5,000.
Sept. 6, 2023: A Middletown detective testifies that Smith’s signature on the seven bounced checks doesn’t match his signature on a court document. The charges against Smith are bound over to a Butler County grand jury by Middletown Municipal Court Judge James Sherron.
Sept. 19, 2023: Middletown City Council authorizes city manager to enter into an agreement to purchase Central Connections property for $1.8 million, using ARPA funds.
Oct. 4, 2023: A Butler County grand jury declines to indict Smith of passing bad check charges.
Oct. 12, 2023: City of Middletown closes on the purchase of Central Connections.
Jan. 20, 2024: During a special City Council meeting, a representative from a task force says the recommendation is for the city to lease the property to a company that can operate the senior center and event center.
Feb. 6, 2024: Pastor Scott Johnson from Crosspointe Church of Christ tells City Council his church is interested to taking over operating Central Connections.
May 2024: Middletown decides to keep operations of the center in-house and look for an event center manager.
September 2024: Angie Smith joined the newly renamed Event Center of Middletown as manager.
July 30: Butler County prosecutors confirm the case is still under investigation by their office.
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