The former treasurer of Carrollton Exempted Village Schools, Amy Spears, has been handed an 18-month prison sentence following her conviction for theft in office. According to an announcement by the Ohio Auditor of State Keith Faber's office, Spears was found to have surreptitiously taken funds from the district coffers and engaged in deception to cover up her tracks.
Details of the case, shared in the statement from the Auditor of State's office, outlined that Spears had cashed a $5,000 check from the district that she made out to herself. After the occurrence was brought to light, the ex-treasurer promptly returned the full amount to the district's bank account. However, an investigation spurred by the Auditor's Special Investigations Unit, initiated after anonymous tips surfaced, brought forth further unsavory actions by Spears. She had claimed nearly $22,000 in reimbursements for college classes during periods where she was not a student, backed by fabricated documentation.
The sentencing took place in Carroll County Common Pleas Court, where Spears was ordered not only to serve time but to pay back $22,620 as restitution, in addition to court costs. The local publication, citing the state auditor's press release, noted that she was placed under immediate custody by the sheriff's office to commence her term.
Moreover, the scale of the investigative body's involvement is significant, with the Special Investigations Unit having supported more than 144 convictions since 2019, leading to restitution summing over $13 million. The unit, which prides itself on addressing hundreds of allegations of fraud each year, operates a fraud hotline at 866-FRAUD-OH (866-372-8364) and accepts anonymous tips online, offering a measure of community vigilance and protection against fiscal misconduct.
In Amy Spears' case, a lawyer from the SIU was appointed by the Carroll County Prosecutor to act as co-counsel, underscoring the collaborative effort to bring the former treasurer to justice. The proceedings culminating in Spears' indictment in May 2025 draw a strong line in the sand against embezzlement and fraud within public office, signaling a clear message about the gravity of such infractions.
