Columbus – A township trustee voted to approve $11,406 in payments for excavating equipment rental and services he and his son provided, according to an audit of Cass Township (Hancock County) released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

“The law is clear – you can’t be on both sides of a transaction,” Auditor Yost said. “You can't serve both the people and yourself. You have to choose one or the other.”

The Ohio Revised Code states that transactions are to be conducted at arm’s length, and public officials should take no part in deliberations or decisions of the political subdivision when personal interests are involved. Auditors found that Township Trustee Jerry Wolford introduced and voted on legislation, approved payment, and signed checks for excavating equipment rental and services provided by himself in the amount of $1,975 and his son Brian in the amount of $9,431 during fiscal years 2013 and 2014.

Findings for recovery were issued against Jerry Wolford in the amount of $1,975 and against Brian Wolford and Jerry Wolford, jointly and severally, in the amount of $9,431. Jerry Wolford repaid the entire amounts to the township. This issue will be referred to the Ohio Ethics Commission.

A full copy of this report 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 5,800 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.