Athens Metro Housing Authority director put on leave as state, federal warrants served

Search warrants were served on the Athens Metropolitan Housing Authority by officials with the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development’s Office of Inspector General and the Ohio Auditor’s Office Dec. 8, according to records obtained by the Independent. Jodi Rickard, the executive director since 2020, was immediately put on paid administrative leave by the agency’s board of commissioners, records released Friday by the agency show. 

The AMHA’s board held a special meeting at the offices of its law firm, Mollica Gall Sloan & Sillery Co. LPA, the day after the Dec. 8 search, where it voted to put Rickard on paid leave. 

“It is the Board’s understanding that this investigation concerns your activities as Executive Director, and accordingly, you have been placed on leave as a precautionary measure,” a Dec. 12 letter to Rickard from attorney David Mott reads. 

The letter also directs her to return all AMHA material in her possession and not have any contact with AMHA employees, board members, contractors, residents or any other contacts, not enter any AMHA properties, and not access any AMHA digital files or funds. It also forbids her from speaking to the media or “any member of the public” about the situation.

AMHA Finance Director Sherrie Boudinot denied the Independent’s request for copies of the warrants served on the agency, writing that a 2011 Ohio Court of Appeals opinion set precedent that the agency isn’t required to provide documents that “do not document the organization, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, operations, or other activities of AMHA.” She has not yet responded to a request for internal communications related to Rickard’s performance and leave.

The Auditor’s Office and HUD Office of Inspector General did not immediately respond to requests for comment or copies of the search warrants.

AMHA board chair Mary Nally provided the following statement: “Athens Metropolitan Housing Authority exists to provide safe and affordable housing opportunities to low-income families in Athens County. Any staffing change, for any reason, presents unique challenges in making sure we continue to fulfill that mission with excellence. AMHA’s primary focus is still to provide our clients and community partners the high-quality service they deserve, and AMHA is working diligently and tirelessly to provide that service without interruption.”

Nally, who is also the director of Ohio University’s Center for Campus and Community Engagement, referred a follow-up question about the warrants to the Auditor’s Office and HUD Office of Inspector General.

Rickard was appointed director of the housing authority in January 2020 after an 18-year career with the agency. She previously served as finance director, according to a release. A call to a number listed for her was not answered Friday.

The Independent will update this story as additional information becomes available.