Ex-Henry County commissioner convicted

Illegal interest in contract punishable by up to 18 months in prison

8/30/2013

NAPOLEON – A former Henry County commissioner was convicted today on a charge he had an illegal interest in a contract.

Richard Myers, 64, of Liberty Center was found guilty of the charge, a fourth-degree felony punishable by up to 18 months in prison. His sentencing is slated for Oct. 3.

Visiting Judge Randall Basinger of Putnam County rendered the verdict after listening to a day and a half of testimony in Henry County Common Pleas Court Monday and Tuesday.

Mr. Myers, a Democrat who lost his bid for re-election last November, was accused of loaning $25,000 of his own money to a specialty car company looking to relocate to Henry County. Prosecutors said he then convinced his fellow commissioners to give the company a $300,000 loan without disclosing his own interest in the company.

The company, Revenge Designs Inc., never moved to Henry County and did not repay the loan. County commissioners eventually repaid the loan through its general fund.