In The News 27 August 2025

Morgan County ag treasurer repays $47,172.61 after investigation reveals funds were used for personal purposes

COLUMBUS — A finding for recovery of $47,172.61 was issued Tuesday against the treasurer for the Morgan County Agricultural Society, who used funds donated initially for fairgrounds improvements for personal purposes.

Stanley Strode repaid the total under audit. The full report is available online at ohioauditor.gov/auditsearch/search.aspx.

The Auditor of State’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) launched an investigation in March 2022 after auditors noted that Strode had failed to provide supporting documentation for donor repayments related to a new fair barn.

In 2017, an anonymous donor provided funds for the project, with a portion of payments deposited into an account controlled by Strode.

After the barn project was completed, the agricultural society board approved multiple repayments to the donor. Strode, however, used the funds for personal purposes, including a loan to purchase a timeshare and mortgage and credit card payments.

Strode completed repayments to the agricultural society for the total in October and November 2024 and July 2025. The county prosecutor declined to pursue criminal charges in the case.

Since 2019, the Special Investigations Unit has assisted in 143 convictions resulting in more than $13 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).

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