Montgomery County's Clerk of Courts, Mike Foley, made headlines after pleading guilty to two misdemeanor counts of soliciting political contributions from public employees. As reported on Monday, the plea was entered just before what was scheduled to be a jury trial in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court. As a result, Foley will not serve jail time but instead has been sentenced to two years of community control, fined $2,000 plus court costs, and is mandated to complete 40 hours of community service. As detailed by the Ohio Auditor of State Keith Faber, Foley must also abide by certain prohibitions, which include not only refraining from alcohol and drug use but also from retaliating against employees.
This case stemmed from an investigation triggered by an anonymous tip to the Auditor of State’s Special Investigations Unit in October 2022. The SIU, after receiving the complaint, decided swiftly to investigate the allegations against Foley. Their probe dug into not just solicitation of campaign contributions from those within Foley's employ, but also other potentially improper political activities. This recent conviction is one among many achieved by the SIU, which, since 2019, has "assisted in 147 convictions resulting in more than $16 million in restitution," according to the Ohio Auditor of State Keith Faber's announcement.
The attorneys from the SIU served as special prosecutors during the case against Foley. They have been vigilant in their pursuit of fraud and misconduct, urging the public to remain watchful and report any suspected fraudulent activities. The SIU maintains an online platform and a hotline for reporting, both of which allow for anonymous tips. They receive hundreds of tips annually, which often lead to investigations and, at times, convictions like that of Foley.
As the community reflects on the outcomes of this case, it's clear that public servants are held to high standards, and breaches of trust can result in significant consequences. The SIU will continue to vigilantly protect these standards and hold accountable those who choose to willingly violate them. For those wishing to report suspected fraud in government, the SIU can be reached through their hotline at 866-FRAUD-OH (866-372-8364) or online, underscoring the public's role in maintaining the integrity of public service.
