A former Blendon Township administrator whom the state accuses of using his work credit card for personal expenses and overpaying himself for work and vacation he did not earn now owes the township more than $100,000.
The Ohio Auditor’s special investigations unit determined that Bryan Rhoads, who held several paid and unpaid positions from 2002 until he resigned as administrator in 2022, owes $103,606.
The inquiry began when Trustee Jan Heichel discovered irregularities and confronted Rhoads.
“When Mr. Rhoads repeatedly refused to show (Heichel) basic financial records from the township, she consulted the township attorney about her concerns,” according to an email sent to township residents recently.
Rhoads has repaid about $561 of the total, leaving a balance of $103,045.50, according to a special audit released by Auditor of State Keith Faber’s office.
Former Blendon Township Administrator Bryan Rhoads
Neither Rhoads nor township officials immediately responded to phone calls and emails Tuesday requesting interviews.
The audit began in August 2022, when allegation arose that Rhoads had been overpaid and made unauthorized purchases using the township’s credit card. The auditor’s office alleges he was overpaid $89,143 between 2016 and 2022 and almost $9,500 in payments for vacation he had not earned.
Auditors also identified what they called 64 improper credit card purchases by Rhoads totaling $4,986.37 for personal items including clothing from Banana Republic, dry cleaning and food deliveries from DoorDash.
The investigation findings were sent to the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office, which declined to pursue criminal charges.
“We’re disappointed by this decision,” wrote trustees in the resident mailing, “and believe it was a mistake not to pursue criminal charges. Illegally receiving more than $100,000 in taxpayer money is a serious issue that demands accountability.”
Trustees have sent a formal letter to the prosecutors office asking them to reconsider.
dnarciso@dispatch.com
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio Auditor finds township official liable for more than $100,000