ATHENS, Ohio — Former Athens County Department of Job and Family Services Director Jean Demosky waived her right to a speedy trial at a pre-trial hearing Tuesday, June 16, in the Athens County Court of Common Pleas.
The decision will push back Demosky’s trial on charges related to alleged mismanagement of organizational finances, previously scheduled for August.
“She is waiving the right to speedy trial, so that the court can provide adequate time for us to complete discovery, and adequate time for the defense to review the discovery in this case,” Demosky’s attorney Jonathan Tyack told the Independent.
“Discovery has been done. A significant amount of discovery has been provided already. We expect a significant amount of additional discovery to also be provided,” Tyack said.
Special prosecutor Ron O’Brien said he had provided the defense with initial discovery in the case. He said that Tyack had requested several years of Athens County Commissioner meeting recordings, which Athens County Prosecutor Keller Blackburn’s office supported O’Brien in obtaining and providing.
The parties agreed to schedule an additional pre-trial hearing for Monday, Aug. 17, the date the trial was previously slated to begin, to “make sure we’re not having any other issues with discovery,” as Tyack said.
A new trial date does not yet appear on the court calendar.
Demosky was arrested Friday, April 3, on one third-degree felony charge of theft in office, for under $7,500. The following Monday, April 6, a grand jury indicted Demosky on eight charges, including engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, a first-degree felony; one first-degree felony count of theft in office; and two counts of intimidation, a third-degree felony.
Demosky’s indictment alleges she misused county resources to support a private nonprofit, the Athens County Department of Job and Family Services Community Cares Fund.
The county will repay nearly $2.6 million over the next 15 years to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Part of that debt stems from Demosky’s alleged use of JFS funds and resources to support the Community Cares Fund.
Financial issues at JFS have led to cuts to staff positions as well as the planned sale of the agency’s building in Nelsonville, which connects area residents to various programs and services.
In addition to a special prosecutor, visiting judge John Wallace is working on the case. Both Blackburn and Athens County Court of Common Pleas George McCarthy have recused themselves.
