Van Wert law director facing Oct. 6 jury trial

8/14/2003

VAN WERT, Ohio — A jury trial for Van Wert City Law Director George Crummey was set for Oct. 6, where he will face charges of taking money from the city.

Mr. Crummey appeared in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court on Tuesday for a pretrial hearing before Allen County Common Pleas Judge Richard Warren. Mr. Crummey, who was indicted by a grand jury Aug. 2, faces two counts of theft and one count each of theft in office and falsification in a theft in office, all felonies, and a misdemeanor charge of receiving improper compensation.

He is accused of diverting about $2,200 from funds intended for payment to his office staff. Additionally, a state audit claims Mr. Crummey billed the city more than $17,000 from Jan. 1, 2001, through March 8, 2002, for services that were covered under the law director's salary.