COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - The Latest on fraud allegations against a southern Ohio halfway house (all times local):
5:25 p.m.
A lawyer for a former southern Ohio halfway house facing allegations of illegal spending says his client denies any wrongdoing.
Attorney Jonathan Marshall also says Josh Saunders, former deputy director at STAR Community Justice Center in Scioto County, is the one who brought the allegations to authorities’ attention in the first place.
Marshall questions why state auditors never interviewed Saunders as part of their investigation, the results of which were released Wednesday.
The audit says center officials spent thousands of taxpayer dollars on alcohol, hotels, travel costs for family members and a strip club.
Pat Apel, a Scioto County assistant prosecutor, says the audit is being reviewed for potential criminal charges.
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11:25 a.m.
A state audit says officials at a southern Ohio halfway house illegally spent thousands of taxpayer dollars on alcohol, hotels, travel costs for family members and a strip club.
The audit released Tuesday also says employees of STAR Community Justice Center in Scioto County forged receipts for personal and unauthorized purchases.
The report from Auditor David Yost found $20,000 in illegal spending, with about half involving conferences in Las Vegas, Reno, Orlando and Pittsburgh.
The report said two center officials spent $170 at a Columbus strip club in December 2014.
The report cited former deputy director Josh Saunders for improperly spending $12,042, and executive director Charles Philabaun (phil-ah-BAUN’) for improperly spending $5,965.
Messages seeking comment on the allegations were left for attorneys representing Saunders and Philabaun.
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