Audit shows Ohio sheriff misspent nearly $6,000

7/17/2013

COLUMBUS — A state audit has found that the sheriff of a southeast Ohio county misspent public funds on various items including 270 shirts, meals and parties.

The report released Tuesday says Athens County Sheriff Patrick Kelly has been ordered to repay nearly $6,000 to the county.

The 2012 audit released Tuesday shows Kelly improperly spent money from two of his department’s funds. The report said the matter can be resolved by transferring the money from another account.

Kelly said the money had been spent from the wrong accounts and had not gone missing. He says he continues to fight with the state auditor’s office on which spending should come from which accounts.

A 2011 audit ordered Kelly to repay more than $15,000 in impermissible spending.