Cincinnati Federal Crimes Blog

City employees in Ohio are often trusted to handle significant amounts of money and ensure that the money is spent as intended. Using money intended for another purpose or for your own personal benefit is considered a form of embezzlement and can result in criminal charges.

According to reports, a woman who formerly worked as a senior billing clerk with the City of Bedford reportedly faces charges for tampering with records and falsification and theft in office, after she reportedly stole thousands of dollars from the city. The woman was fired in 2016 after making a number of false statements, which prompted the internal investigation. According to prosecutors, the investigation revealed that the clerk allegedly falsified payment records in the city's utility billing and cash receipt systems to embezzle over $10,000 from the city's water department.

Ohio residents facing drug possession or distribution charges worry about the consequences they will face if they are convicted. With jail time, fines, and a criminal record on the line, they have reason to be concerned. However, many drug charges are dismissed thanks to the use of an effective defense strategy.

One of the most common defenses used in drug crime cases is the "the drugs are not mine" defense. It may seem simple, but it can be extremely effective in many cases. Drug crimes in Ohio require the prosecutor to establish the element of possession. For example, if you have been charged with drug distribution, the prosecutor will have to show that you knowingly had the drugs in your possession, or within your control. However, if you had no knowledge that the drugs were there or if they belonged to someone else, it can be argued that you did not actually have possession of the drug.

Many people mistakenly believe that as long as they themselves are not using, possessing or distributing drugs, they will not face criminal charges. However, according to Ohio Rev. Code 2925.13, permitting drug abuse on one's property is a crime.

The statute states that knowingly allowing someone to use their vehicle or property to commit a felony drug crime is against the law, even if they are not a drug user and are not directly involved in the drug crime taking place. Permitting drug abuse here is generally classified as a first-degree misdemeanor, but more serious offenses may be classified as a fifth-degree felony. One can be charged for drug use or distribution in one's home, business, vehicle or any other property.

When an individual or company illegally and intentionally used funds of another party for their own use, they could be charged with misappropriation of funds. Misappropriating funds is a form of embezzlement, and you could face criminal charges in the state of Ohio. The severity of the penalties will depend on the amount of money involved and other circumstances surrounding the incident.

The president of a license insurance agency, Oliver Financial Services Corporation, as well as the company itself, is facing state regulatory action following the alleged misappropriation of $500,000 from Ohio consumers without their consent and other fraud-based crimes. According to authorities, the president apparently worked as a financial services consultant for the company and used forged documents to get policyholders to designate him as the beneficiary of the annuities sold by him.