Headlines 20 October 2026

Special audit details investigation into theft, other crimes by former fiscal officer for the Village of Corning in Perry County

COLUMBUS — A former fiscal officer for the Village of Corning in Perry County will have to pay $15,901.53 in restitution following an investigation that led to convictions on theft and other counts.

The total finding for recovery matches court-ordered restitution in the case against Abby Fralick, who pleaded guilty to felony counts of theft in office and telecommunications fraud and a misdemeanor count of soliciting or accepting improper compensation.

The investigation into Fralick’s crimes is detailed in a special audit report released Tuesday and available online at ohioauditor.gov/auditsearch/search.aspx.

The Auditor of State’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) launched an investigation after receiving allegations of potential criminal activity involving Fralick, a former Corning Village Council member who then served as fiscal officer from June 2022 through November 2023.

SIU identified dozens of fraudulent transactions involving village checks, fuel charges and other misappropriations by Fralick. She was indicted in May 2026 and submitted her guilty pleas in July in Perry County Common Pleas Court.

In addition to restitution, her sentence included three years of community control and100 hours of community service, and she is barred from public office.

Since 2019, the Special Investigations Unit has assisted in 172 convictions resulting in more than $18.1 million in restitution. 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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