Headlines 21 March 2026

Former Lawrence County Health Department employee sentenced

COLUMBUS — A former employee of the Lawrence County Health Department received a suspended jail sentence and was ordered to pay restitution after an investigation determined she was paid for the same working hours at separate public jobs.

Elizabeth Sergent’s sentence included ordered restitution of $1,607, which included audit costs; 60 months of community control; and 80 hours of community service after she pleaded guilty to a single misdemeanor count of theft in Jackson County Municipal Court.

The Auditor of State’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) launched an investigation after receiving a complaint from the fiscal officer of the Lawrence County Health Department alleging that Sergent was working two jobs at the same time.

SIU confirmed that Sergent held positions with the Lawrence County Health Department and the Jackson County Health Department and that her timesheets included more than 16 hours that she was paid by both for the same working hours.

Since 2019, the Special Investigations Unit has assisted in 158 convictions resulting in more than $17 million in restitution (see Map of SIU Convictions since January 2019). The team receives hundreds of tips of suspected fraud annually. Tips can be submitted anonymously online or via SIU’s fraud hotline at 866-FRAUD-OH (866-372-8364).

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••• Publisher's note: A free press is critical to having well-informed voters and citizens. While some news organizations opt for paid websites or costly paywalls, The Highland County Press has maintained a free newspaper and website for the last 28 years for our community. If you would like to contribute to this service – and want it to continue – it would be greatly appreciated. Donations may be made to: The Highland County Press, P.O. Box 849, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133. Please include "for website" on the memo line.

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