In a recent development of administrative misconduct, Mike Foley, the Clerk of Courts for Montgomery County, entered a no-contest plea to two criminal charges. The conviction stemmed from an inquiry spearheaded by the Auditor of State's Special Investigations Unit (SIU), which revealed unlawful political activities conducted using government resources. According to the Ohio Auditor of State Keith Faber's official press release, Foley was handed a 12-month suspended jail sentence, ordered to perform 40 hours of community service with mandatory ethics training, put under 24 months of community control, and fined $3,500.
The charges against Foley included a felony for unapproved use of a computer and a misdemeanor for soliciting political contributions from public employees. This case was brought to light following an anonymous tip received in October 2022, which accused him of these illegal activities. The SIU, which functions under the Auditor of State's Office, counts hundreds of fraud allegations each year, a testament to its critical role in maintaining governmental integrity.
SIU attorneys took on the role of special prosecutor in the trial against Foley, further emphasizing the unit's versatility in handling such cases. Since 2019, the SIU has contributed to 139 convictions, ensuring more than $13 million in restitution. This case against Foley is only the latest instance of the SIU's ongoing efforts to uproot corruption and misconduct within public service sectors.
The Auditor of State’s Office, currently overseen by Auditor Keith Faber, is tasked with the auditing of over 5,900 state and local government entities. This office not only conducts financial audits but also provides services to local governments seeking financial advice, conducts investigations into public agency fraud, and promotes transparency in government. The significance of the SIU's work is highlighted through its consistent results of convictions and restitutions, providing Ohioans with some measure of reassurance that public funds are being watched and misappropriations are not going unchecked.
