The Morgan County Agricultural Society's treasurer has repaid $47,172.61 after findings from an audit exposed the misuse of funds meant for fairgrounds improvements, a report from the Ohio Auditor's office reveals. According to the statement released Today by the Ohio Auditor of State Keith Faber's Office, Stanley Strode utilized the donated money for personal endeavors, such as a timeshare purchase, and for making mortgage and credit card payments.
This repayment followed an investigation by the Auditor of State’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU), which started in March 2022, when discrepancies were noted in the documentation for donor repayments meant for a new fair barn. Funds for the project had originally come from an anonymous donor back in 2017, with a portion being directly handled by Strode. Auditors expecting to follow the money to its rightful application in public service were instead led down a path of personal gain.
In a move that may surprise some, the decision has been made not to bring criminal charges against Mr. Strode. The full report on the situation is accessible to the public and can be viewed at the Ohio Auditor of State Keith Faber's official website. "The full report is available online at ohioauditor.gov/auditsearch/search.aspx," the release states, ensuring transparency and access to the findings for those interested. The county prosecutor has declined to pursue the case further, although it’s not immediately clear why a pursuit of justice has been eschewed in this instance.
Strode has since squared his debts with the agricultural society, completing payments in October and November 2024, and with a final installment in July 2025. While this reimbursement might offer some closure to the financial story, the community trust once vested in their treasurer remains in deficit. Since 2019, the SIU has been involved in aiding "143 convictions resulting in more than $13 million in restitution," their efforts highlighting an ongoing battle against fiscal malfeasance in the public domain.
The SIU encourages the public to remain vigilant against corruption, providing mechanisms for anonymous tips through an online portal or via a dedicated fraud hotline at 866-FRAUD-OH (866-372-8364). With "hundreds of tips of suspected fraud annually," each report becomes a crucial stitch in the fabric of public sector integrity, a patchwork sewn with the threads of civic duty and oversight.
