Former ESC Council of Governments intervention specialist in Lawrence County pleads guilty to theft in office

COLUMBUS — A former intervention specialist for the Educational Service Center Council of Governments, working in Lawrence County, pleaded guilty following allegations that she was paid for janitorial hours when she did not actually work.

Megan Catalogna admitted to a single felony count of theft in office during a hearing this week in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court. As part of a plea agreement, she agreed to pay $16,707.50 in restitution and audit costs, will be subject to four years of community control, and must complete 400 hours of community service.

An 18-month prison sentence was deferred unless she violates the community control terms. She also will be forever barred from serving in a position of public employment or trust.

The Auditor of State’s Special Investigation Unit (SIU) began investigating Catalogna after receiving a complaint alleging she had submitted fraudulent timesheets to the Educational Service Center Council of Governments through her position at Tri-State STEM+M High School in South Point and was paid for janitorial hours she did not work.

The Lawrence County Grand Jury handed down the indictment against Catalogna in November. SIU served as special prosecutor in the case.

Since 2019, the Special Investigations Unit has assisted in 131 convictions resulting in more than $10 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).