In a turn of events that underscores the intersect of deception and public duty, a former Ontario water plant supervisor has been indicted on multiple felony charges. David Whittaker, the individual in question, faces theft in office, tampering with records, and telecommunications fraud as laid out in a three-count indictment returned by the Richland County Grand Jury.
The case unraveled when the Auditor of State's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) was tipped off in August 2024 about Whittaker filing a military leave request purported to be from the Air National Guard. In contrast, in reality, he was serving a 30-day jail sentence for a probation violation at this time, a conviction stemming from an earlier DUI arrest, according to the Ohio Auditor's Office press release. The falsified document was intended to excuse his absence from his municipal job under the guise of honorable service. Still, an Air National Guard commander in Mansfield debunked the letter's authenticity.
Scheduled for arraignment on February 11 in Richland County Common Pleas Court, Whittaker's actions not only call into question his integrity but cast shadows on the diligence processes within the City of Ontario's water department. An episode such as this erodes public trust, especially involving individuals overseeing essential public resources.
The revelation coincides with an impressive track record by the SIU, having assisted in 130 convictions since 2019, leading to over $10 million in restitution; this case exemplifies their ongoing efforts to maintain accountability across state and local governments, their press release details consistent and impactful oversight with hundreds of fraud tips processed annually people, can anonymously report any suspected fraud through their hotline or online platform.
Led by Auditor Keith Faber, the Auditor of State’s Office is an independent entity responsible for scrutinizing the financial dealings of more than 5,900 state and local government agencies in Ohio. Beyond auditing, the office dedicates itself to aiding local governments with financial services, fortifying efforts against fraud in public agencies, and promoting transparency within government functions.
