The board overseeing Butler County's public housing agency has fired its chief executive, Timothy Butler, after a whistleblower came forward with information about what the board called serious financial mismanagement and troubling spending decisions. The agency, now operating as OneCanopi after rebranding from the Butler Metropolitan Housing Authority, suspended Butler before moving to terminate him outright, and it has since frozen discretionary spending, hiring and new vendor deals while the board has authorized outside counsel to hire an independent auditor.
According to WKRC, the board of commissioners said it terminated Butler following what it described as serious allegations of financial mismanagement and spending decisions. A whistleblower provided information that led to the board's decision, the station reported, and after reviewing preliminary evidence, the board said it immediately suspended Butler and began the process to terminate him.
Board members did not detail the specific financial concerns raised against Butler, who had served as president and CEO of the agency — listed on OneCanopi's team page as formerly the Butler Metropolitan Housing Authority. The board said the irregularities presented to it did not align with its values, calling the allegations deeply concerning and out of step with the organization's mission.
Authorities Notified, Spending Frozen
The board notified state and federal authorities about the allegations and has committed to supporting any criminal investigation that may follow, per the same WKRC report. It also authorized outside counsel to hire an independent auditor to review expenditures and vendor relationships dating back through Butler's tenure.
To limit further risk while that review proceeds, the board implemented an immediate freeze on discretionary spending, hiring and new vendor agreements. Officials stressed the freeze will not impact day-to-day operations, meaning residents who rely on the agency's housing programs should see no disruption in services.
Tim Ayres has been named interim CEO and will oversee daily operations while the independent review proceeds, the station's report notes. The board said its first and highest priority is ensuring the well-being of residents and families who depend on the agency while maintaining critical community services.
Agency Says It Will Hold Back Details For Now
The board said it will not speculate or comment further on the specific allegations given the potential for state and federal investigations alongside the independent review already authorized. Officials added that additional information will be shared as appropriate and in accordance with applicable state and federal law. OneCanopi's website describes the agency's mission as increasing access to affordable housing, supporting community development and offering economic opportunities across Butler County.
Not An Isolated Story In Public Housing
Butler's ouster follows a pattern seen elsewhere in public housing leadership this year. In Peoria, Illinois, the housing authority terminated its chief financial officer in February after discovering what it called financial irregularities involving Authority funds, according to WMBD/WYZZ. The Peoria Police Department confirmed an active investigation into the former CFO, and the agency named Damon Duncan, a veteran with more than 30 years in public housing leadership, as interim CEO while promising its voucher and public housing programs would continue without interruption.
A more severe case played out in Connecticut, where a federal grand jury in September indicted former housing authority executive director Robert Cappelletti on nine counts, including five counts of wire fraud and four counts of illegal monetary transactions, as reported by the Hartford Courant. Prosecutors allege Cappelletti fraudulently borrowed $16.2 million on behalf of the Maynard Road Corporation in 2022 without authorization from either the corporation's or the housing authority's boards. He has pleaded not guilty and was released on a $500,000 bond pending trial.
The board said it would support any criminal investigation that may follow. For now, OneCanopi's board says the independent audit of expenditures and vendor relationships will determine what happened during Butler's tenure, while Ayres keeps the agency's daily operations running for the residents who depend on it.
