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Athens County prosecutor implicated a personal connection in drug case
The woman was identified in indictments but has not been charged. A special prosecutor was assigned to handle the case — eventually.
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Athens County prosecutor’s actions ethically dubious, experts say
Experts question Keller Blackburn’s personal ties to an investigation’s subject. The investigation has been cited in her divorce.
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Ohio University loses appeal regarding former officer’s abuse of a minor
The Ohio Court of Claims will again consider whether Ohio University is liable for its former police officer’s 2005 abuse of Alison Arocho, then 15.
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Nelsonville City Council loses member, moves on $20k settlement
A Nelsonville city council member has resigned amid accusations of attempting to access city email addresses; meanwhile, the city moves to settle a “pending lawsuit” for over $20,000.
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Bellar lawsuit reaches $420k settlement with Athens County, former sheriff’s deputy
Athens County and a former sheriff’s deputy reached a $420,000 settlement agreement with an Amesville woman formerly known as Serah Bellar, related to claims in her federal lawsuit that the county was complicit in her yearslong abuse.
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Former Athens housing authority director sentenced for multi-million dollar theft
Former Athens Metropolitan Housing Authority Director Jodi Rickard pleaded guilty to seven felony charges on Tuesday as part of a plea deal.
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Man convicted in Nelsonville child Eli Spangler’s death released early; civil case settles
Donald Platt, a Nelsonville man convicted in the 2021 death of Eli Spangler, an 11-year-old boy, was released from prison last week. Meanwhile, attorneys reached a $101,000 settlement agreement in a related civil suit.
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Former Nelsonville police clerk pleads guilty to database misuse
Former Nelsonville police clerk Jessica Mount says she was inadequately trained by former city officials.
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Ex-director charged with stealing $1.5M from Athens housing authority
Jodi Rickard pleaded not guilty to charges that she wrote checks on Athens Metropolitan Housing Authority accounts to pay for vacations and a swimming pool.
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Former city manager to pay Nelsonville restitution
The amount Scott Frank owes the city is exactly equivalent to the total amount the city paid Frank’s child in 2022 for working at the Nelsonville city pool.