2008 Woodie Awards
Letter calls for investigation of GOP
Betsy King
Issue date: 4/18/08 Section: Community
A Butler County emergency management employee resigned Wednesday after Butler County Democrats raised allegations of unethical pay increases for him during his 12 years with the county.
The Butler County Democratic Party wrote a letter April 10 to the Ohio Ethics Commission requesting an investigation, because they believe the Butler County Republican Party has not behaved ethically regarding local political issues.
The letter raised the question of county employee, James Hamlin, who received excessive pay raises over the years that don't appear to have been voted on by the Butler County GOP.
The letter stated Hamlin was hired in 1996 as an Emergency Management employee with a salary of $18,574.40. His salary has now increased to $76,000 per year.
The letter also went on to state that it is a requirement for all pay raises to be voted on and documented in a County Commission meeting.
The Butler County Democrats believe that this protocol has not happened in all instances.
Although Hamlin resigned from his position, the investigation is expected to proceed as planned.
"We found some records that appeared to be questionable," said Ron Wardup, chair of Butler County Democratic Party and author of the letter. "As a result of this letter the Ohio Ethics Committee will conduct a preliminary investigation, and our hope is that there will be a subsequent further investigation. However, our wish is that the pay raises were justified and that no further legal action will have to be taken."
Jennifer Harding, an employee for the Ohio Ethics Committee said when presented with this type of situation there are specific steps that must be followed in a formal investigation.
"If the alleged misconduct falls within the authority of the ethics commission then a confidential investigation may be conducted," Harding said. "After this process, the commission staff may file a formal complaint that would require a public hearing to take place in which the accused may be represented by a lawyer and witnesses would be present."
Harding then described what would happen following the public hearing.
"If it turns out that the accused violated an ethics law then the information will be turned over to the appropriate prosecuting authority," Harding said. "However, the case will be dismissed if it is not supported by evidence that is presented."
According to Wardup, the duration of these proceedings can fluctuate-with everything depending on whether further actions are even necessary and how quickly everything progresses.
"I'm not completely sure why he resigned so soon," Wardup said. "It wasn't an action he was required to take given the circumstances."
When contacted for information regarding the letter, a representative for the Butler County GOP said that the party has no comment and the responsibility of what to do and what will happen lies strictly with the commissioner.
The Butler County Democratic Party wrote a letter April 10 to the Ohio Ethics Commission requesting an investigation, because they believe the Butler County Republican Party has not behaved ethically regarding local political issues.
The letter raised the question of county employee, James Hamlin, who received excessive pay raises over the years that don't appear to have been voted on by the Butler County GOP.
The letter stated Hamlin was hired in 1996 as an Emergency Management employee with a salary of $18,574.40. His salary has now increased to $76,000 per year.
The letter also went on to state that it is a requirement for all pay raises to be voted on and documented in a County Commission meeting.
The Butler County Democrats believe that this protocol has not happened in all instances.
Although Hamlin resigned from his position, the investigation is expected to proceed as planned.
"We found some records that appeared to be questionable," said Ron Wardup, chair of Butler County Democratic Party and author of the letter. "As a result of this letter the Ohio Ethics Committee will conduct a preliminary investigation, and our hope is that there will be a subsequent further investigation. However, our wish is that the pay raises were justified and that no further legal action will have to be taken."
Jennifer Harding, an employee for the Ohio Ethics Committee said when presented with this type of situation there are specific steps that must be followed in a formal investigation.
"If the alleged misconduct falls within the authority of the ethics commission then a confidential investigation may be conducted," Harding said. "After this process, the commission staff may file a formal complaint that would require a public hearing to take place in which the accused may be represented by a lawyer and witnesses would be present."
Harding then described what would happen following the public hearing.
"If it turns out that the accused violated an ethics law then the information will be turned over to the appropriate prosecuting authority," Harding said. "However, the case will be dismissed if it is not supported by evidence that is presented."
According to Wardup, the duration of these proceedings can fluctuate-with everything depending on whether further actions are even necessary and how quickly everything progresses.
"I'm not completely sure why he resigned so soon," Wardup said. "It wasn't an action he was required to take given the circumstances."
When contacted for information regarding the letter, a representative for the Butler County GOP said that the party has no comment and the responsibility of what to do and what will happen lies strictly with the commissioner.
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