Public Affairs

Contact: Allie Dumski

Press Secretary

614-644-1111

For Immediate Release:                                                      

August 25, 2020                                                                    

Former Mount Vernon Clerk of Court Stephanie Hardman Indicted by Knox County Grand Jury Following Auditor’s Investigation

Columbus – Following an investigation and audit work by Auditor of State Keith Faber’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU), the Knox County Grand Jury returned an indictment against Stephanie Hardman, former Municipal Clerk of Courts for the City of Mount Vernon.

The indictment against Ms. Hardman includes one count each of Theft in Office and Telecommunications Fraud, both felonies of the third degree, and three counts each of Money Laundering and Tampering with Records, all felonies of the third degree. Each third degree felony carries a possible term of imprisonment up to 36 months and a fine not to exceed ten thousand dollars.

The charges related to her activities as the former Mount Vernon Clerk of Court. Between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018, SIU investigators identified over $10,000 in shortages from the bail bond and criminal payment accounts.

For more information about submitting a tip regarding misuse or abuse of public funds, visit the AOS website or call 1-866- FRAUD-OH.

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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 6,000 state and local government agencies. Under the direction of Auditor Keith Faber, the office also provides financial services to local governments, investigates and prevents fraud in public agencies, and promotes transparency in government.