Columbus – A former employee of the city of Niles was indicted and awaits trial due to the preliminary work of an audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

“Call it the case of the magically disappearing dollars,” Auditor Yost said. “Our audit today shows this wasn’t a magic trick, but good old fashioned stealing.  We are pleased to support the work of Prosecutor Dennis Watkins in bringing the defendant to justice.”

Former Assistant Treasurer Phyllis Wilson was responsible for depositing cash from citizen’s utility payments into the city’s bank account. During the audit, random tests of utility department receipts uncovered a $5,000 discrepancy between cash collected and cash deposited. Auditors then expanded the test to include all cash receipts handled by Wilson. The test covered June 2008 – June 2013, and identified 57 instances in which Wilson collected, but did not deposit, a total of $142,772.

Findings for recovery have been issued against Wilson in the full amount and this report has been shared with the Trumbull County Prosecutor. 

Wilson was indicted on April 24, 2014 on one charge of Theft in Office. On May 28, 2014, Wilson entered a not-guilty plea. She is set for pre-trial on December 9, 2014, according to the Trumbull County Clerk of Courts’ office. 

A full copy of this audit may be accessed online.

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The Auditor of State’s office, one of five independently elected statewide offices in Ohio, is responsible for auditing more than 5,800 state and local government agencies.  Under the direction of Auditor Dave Yost, the office also provides financial services to local governments, investigates and prevents fraud in public agencies and promotes transparency in government.

Contact:
Carrie Bartunek
Press Secretary
614-644-1111