Blaine to be arraigned May 10 on theft, forgery charges
By
Brandy Chandler-brandychandler@gmail.com
Former Greenfield pastor Jim Blaine will be arraigned May 12, after he and his attorney opted to not participate in a video arraignment scheduled for this week in Highland County Common Pleas Court.
On Tuesday, May 4, 2010, a grand jury in Highland County Common Pleas Court issued a 17-count indictment against, James A. Blaine, age 61, currently of San Antonio, Texas, and formerly of Greenfield, related to a theft case involving the Good Shepherd Church in Madison Township, where he formerly served as pastor.
"I haven't seen the indictment," said Blaine's attorney, Marc Ross, of Dayton. "I have heard about it but I haven't see it. All I can say, in general, is that they are allegations. They are not proof of guilt. I have not discussed the individual counts with my client, nor have I had any discovery yet from the prosecutor, so I do not know what they are based on."
Blaine had been scheduled for video arraignment from the Highland County Justice Center on Wednesday, however, according to Highland County Sheriff Ron Ward, Blaine declined the video arraignment until he spoke with his attorney. Ultimately, a face-to-face arraignment was scheduled for Monday, May 12 at 2 p.m. in the Highland County Common Pleas Courtroom.
Ross said he and Blaine opted to not do the video arraignment so Ross could see the courtroom, meet Judge Rocky Coss face to face, and he feels that arguments are more effective in person.
""We obviously want to re-address the bond issue," Ross said. "I think it's much better to do that in person. It has more impact with a face to face meeting, rather than a judge looking at you on a screen. Generally they are more receptive to listen."
Blaine is currently being held on $100,000 bond at the Highland County Justice Center.
The indictment counts involve 13 counts of forgery, each a felony of the fifth degree; one count of unauthorized use of property, a felony of the fourth degree; one count of forgery, a felony of the third degree, and two counts of aggravated theft, each a felony of the third degree.
The charges are the result of a seven-monthlong investigation by Highland County Sheriff’s Office Detectives into allegations that James A. Blaine stole money from the church, which he facilitated by forging names and documents that were then submitted to financial institutions, where Blaine obtained money in the name of the church for his personal use. The incident was alleged to take place over a period of 2004 to 2009.
Former Greenfield pastor Jim Blaine will be arraigned May 10, after he and his attorney opted to not participate in a video arraignment scheduled for this week in Highland County Common Pleas Court.
On Tuesday, May 4, 2010, a grand jury in Highland County Common Pleas Court issued a 17-count indictment against, James A. Blaine, age 61, currently of San Antonio, Texas, and formerly of Greenfield, related to a theft case involving the Good Shepherd Church in Madison Township, where he formerly served as pastor.
"I haven't seen the indictment," said Blaine's attorney, Marc Ross, of Dayton. "I have heard about it but I haven't see it. All I can say, in general, is that they are allegations. They are not proof of guilt. I have not discussed the individual counts with my client, nor have I had any discovery yet from the prosecutor, so I do not know what they are based on."
Blaine had been scheduled for video arraignment from the Highland County Justice Center on Wednesday, however, according to Highland County Sheriff Ron Ward, Blaine declined the video arraignment until he spoke with his attorney. Ultimately, a face-to-face arraignment was scheduled for Monday, May 10 at 2 p.m. in the Highland County Common Pleas Courtroom.
Ross said he and Blaine opted to not do the video arraignment so Ross could see the courtroom, meet Judge Rocky Coss face to face, and he feels that arguments are more effective in person.
"We obviously want to re-address the bond issue," Ross said. "I think it's much better to do that in person. It has more impact with a face to face meeting, rather than a judge looking at you on a screen. Generally they are more receptive to listen."
Blaine is currently being held on $100,000 bond at the Highland County Justice Center.
The indictment counts involve 13 counts of forgery, each a felony of the fifth degree; one count of unauthorized use of property, a felony of the fourth degree; one count of forgery, a felony of the third degree, and two counts of aggravated theft, each a felony of the third degree.
The charges are the result of a seven-monthlong investigation by Highland County Sheriff’s Office Detectives into allegations that James A. Blaine stole money from the church, which he facilitated by forging names and documents that were then submitted to financial institutions, where Blaine obtained money in the name of the church for his personal use. The incident was alleged to take place over a period of 2004 to 2009.
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