ATHENS, Ohio – The sheriff in Athens County is scheduled to be arraigned in one week on 25 charges, including felony counts of theft in office, tampering with records and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity.
The allegations against Patrick Kelly, 63, included in a 25-count indictment handed down Friday, date as far back as 2008, the year he was first elected.
Friday’s indictment includes accusations that Kelly improperly used public funds to buy meals and personal apparel and that members of his campaign committees didn’t properly handle and report donations.
Reportedly, Kelly is also accused of stealing copper from county property and selling it to a scrapyard.
Kelly denies criminal wrongdoing by him or his staff. The Democrat in a statement accuses Republican Attorney General Mike DeWine, who launched the investigation, of a political agenda.
DeWine says his staff investigated at the request of local authorities.
The indictment, returned by an Athens County grand jury, includes 13 felony counts of theft in office, four counts of theft and one count each of corruption, money laundering, tampering with evidence, tampering with records, failure to keep a cashbook and perjury. The indictment also includes misdemeanor counts of obstructing official business and dereliction of duty.
Kelly’s arraignment is scheduled Feb. 10.