Ex-Ottawa County sheriff indicted for misspending funds
1/9/2014
Robert Bratton, seen in 2010 during his tenure as Ottawa County Sheriff, has been indicted in federal court today.
Former Ottawa County Sheriff Robert Bratton was charged in federal court today with improperly spending about $5,000 intended for law enforcement purposes for personal items.
Mr. Bratton, 60, of Genoa, was charged in a bill of information with one count of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds.
Federal prosecutors say he used money from the Furtherance of Justice Fund for personal items, including Cedar Point tickets, clothing, and prescription medicine.
Mr. Bratton, who had been sheriff since 2004, resigned his position in September, 2011, to become police chief in Genoa.
The alleged misspending was uncovered in 2012 following a special audit of the sheriff’s office by Ohio Auditor David Yost’s office.