In The News 27 June 2025

Finding for recovery of $13,116.56 issued after Hamilton County Ag Society failed to maintain documentation for expenditures

COLUMBUS — A finding for recovery of $13,116.56 was issued Thursday against a former treasurer for the Hamilton County Agricultural Society, who authorized cash withdrawal transactions but did not maintain documentation to confirm the expenditures were proper.

The finding was among more than two dozen issues included in an audit and accompanying management letter covering the Ag Society’s finances from Dec. 1, 2021, through Nov. 30, 2023.

The full report is available online at ohioauditor.gov/auditsearch/search.aspx.

Auditors identified four financial transactions made in 2022 and 2023 for which no supporting documentation was maintained.

The full finding for recovery was issued against former Treasurer Tonya Eisner-Elliott, who authorized the cash withdrawal transactions that resulted in the improper payments.

A finding for recovery of $2,925 of the total was issued against Superintendent Benjamin Birt, who received reimbursements for expenses though no documentation was provided to ensure the expenditures served a lawful purpose.

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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 26 years for our community. If you would like to contribute to this service, 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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