Columbus – The following statement may be attributed to Auditor of State Dave Yost concerning the indictment of Hillsboro Mayor W. Drew Hastings by the Highland County grand jury:

“Mr. Hastings has long complained about the length of time a careful, proper investigation takes. That investigation is now complete, and the evidence will be made public appropriately, in a court of law,” Auditor Yost said. “I am confident the jury of his peers will find that evidence amounts to proof beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Auditor of State Assistant Legal Counsel Robert Smith was appointed special prosecutor in the case at the request of Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins. Mayor Hastings was indicted on four felonies, including election falsification, theft, theft in office, and tampering with records. The charges involve allegedly listing a false address on his Declaration of Candidacy form; for claiming a city refund of $500 for a vacant building he owned and for altering documents related to the refund, and; for instructing a contractor to use city Dumpsters to dispose of construction debris. 

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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:
Ben Marrison
Director of Communications
614-644-1111