Correctional facility employees accused of misspending money on liquor, travel, strip club

The Columbus Dispatch | Dean Narciso

Employees of a southern Ohio correctional facility misspent more than $20,000 in public funds, forged receipts and stole property, state investigators have found.

A special audit of the STAR Community Justice Center in Scioto County by the Ohio Auditor’s office that began in 2015 showed that 11 employees — six of them directors — misspent $20,090 on alcohol, unnecessary travel and lodging. In one instance, the spending included a strip club visit.

About half of the misspending occurred during 20 conferences, training seminars and meetings nationwide, including trips to Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada; and Orlando, Fla.

“These employees used conferences as a cover for their self-indulgent vacations,” Auditor Dave Yost said in a statement. “While the amounts may not be the highest we’ve seen, the egregious nature of what transpired is simply appalling – and at a correctional facility, no less.”

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