Columbus – Former Police Chief Miguel Trevino used taxpayer dollars to pay for his daughter’s cell phone, and now owes that money to the Village of McClure (Henry County), according to an audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

“The public purse is not a family affair,” Auditor Yost said. “Every public official knows you can’t use public funds for private purposes. It’s nearly your first duty to keep that distinction.”

The largest amount of the finding against the former chief was $445 for a cell phone used by the family member, with no public purpose. Another phone paid for by the village and properly used by Trevino for public purposes was found to have been charged $36 for personal, non-public purposes, including interactive voting during TV shows, content not benefiting the village and other similar expenditures.

The remainder of the finding amount, $96, was for mistaken overpayment of salary.

In addition to the lost funds charged against the former police official, the audit report identified six accounting weaknesses at the village having to do with recordkeeping, appropriation amounts and budget practices.

Audits with findings of missing or improperly expended public funds are referred to the county prosecutor.

A full copy of this audit may be accessed online.

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The Auditor of State’s office, one of five independently elected statewide offices in Ohio, is responsible for auditing more than 5,600 state and local government agencies.  Under the direction of Auditor Dave Yost, the office also provides financial services to local governments, investigates and prevents fraud in public agencies and promotes transparency in government.

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Carrie Bartunek
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