In Southern Ohio, an investigation spearheaded by the Auditor of State's office has resulted in a flurry of criminal charges against Robert P. Horton and his wife, Lioubov E. Horton, for their alleged involvement in a bribes-for-contracts scheme. Horton, who holds leadership positions at the Southern Ohio Port Authority and the Scioto County Economic Development Department, faces a total of 15 criminal counts, while his wife is charged with 12 counts. The charges, which include engaging in a pattern of corrupt activities, theft in office, and bribery, were announced in a statement from Auditor of State Keith Faber's office.
Details from the indictment, filed in Scioto County Common Pleas Court, were made available after the Scioto County Grand Jury delivered their findings yesterday. According to the Auditor of State Keith Faber's announcement, the SIU initiated its probe following suspicions of unlawful contract dealings between the Port Authority and an undisclosed out-of-state company. Investigations unearthed a complex web of illicit payments allegedly funneled to Horton through a shell company owned by his spouse.
The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) of the Auditor's office was instrumental in uncovering the alleged scheme, which involved hundreds of thousands of dollars. The Scioto County Prosecutor appointed attorneys from the SIU to serve as special prosecutors on the case, highlighting the gravity of the accusations. Since 2019, the SIU boasts a record of assisting in over 130 convictions, recovering over $10 million in restitution for fraud and corruption cases.
Horton's indictment shines a light on the ongoing challenge of corruption within local governments. These revelations are another reminder of the importance of vigilant oversight and accountability mechanisms. The SIU accepts tips for suspected fraud through its hotline and online submission platform, demonstrating its commitment to rooting out corruption and the important role that community vigilance plays in maintaining the integrity of public institutions.
