In The News 3 September 2026

Former McArthur utility clerk sentenced to 18 months 

COLUMBUS — A former utility clerk for the Village of McArthur in Vinton County was sentenced to 18 months in prison following her conviction in the theft of water and sewer bill payments.

Cathy Stoughton also was ordered to pay restitution of $125,557.29, with her state retirement account liquidated to go toward the balance.

The sentence was handed down Monday in Vinton County Common Pleas Court, where Stoughton earlier pleaded guilty to felony counts of theft in office and tampering with records and a misdemeanor count of soliciting improper compensation.

The Auditor of State’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) launched an investigation in March 2024 after discrepancies were discovered during the village’s regular financial audit.

Stoughton, who worked as utility clerk from January 2004 until her resignation in July 2025, was solely responsible for preparing utility bills and collecting, posting, and depositing utility payments. SIU determined that she had failed to deposit portions of utility payments between August 2018 and June 2025.

Stoughton was indicted in August 2025 in Vinton County Common Pleas Court and pleaded guilty in February 2026.

Since 2019, the Special Investigations Unit has assisted in 168 convictions resulting in more than $18 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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