According to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, Many job scams promise high pay with minimal effort, but they often result in fraudsters obtaining the job seeker’s personal information or access to their financial accounts. These scams may be advertisements on social media, email or text messages.
Many job scams use fake checks, where scammers send a check to cover equipment cost like a new computer. They instruct you to deposit the check into your bank account and then use a money-transfer service, gift card, or prepaid money card to send the same amount to a “vendor.” The check inevitably bounces, however, which means the money you sent to the fake vendor comes out of your pocket.
Before applying for any job posting, research the company thoroughly. Signs of potential job scams include the following red flags:
The posting includes vague job descriptions and claims you can make hundreds or thousands of dollars doing very little work.
Communication from company representatives uses free or personal email accounts, such as those from gmail.com, yahoo.com, hotmail.com or aol.com.
You’re hired without ever meeting anyone in person.
The company doesn’t have a website.
You receive a check before any work is performed.
You’re asked to wire-transfer money or purchase prepaid money cards.
Common scams include postal scams, mystery shopper scams, and offers for high-paying data entry jobs, often requiring upfront fees or sharing banking information.
Postal scams
Postal scams can be marketed as a convenient work from home opportunity. The job posting will list the job duties as repackaging and/or reshipping items. The compensation for the work is unusually high and even includes shipping costs. This “job” is actually a scam that allows the poster to use the applicant to ship stolen goods without receiving any compensation.
Mystery shopper
An applicant is selected for a “secret shopper” job and receives a check. The first assignment is to deposit the check and then wire-transfer a portion of the money to someone else using the wire-transfer service at a local retail store. In reality, the check the applicant has received is no good, and any money the person sends will be lost.
Running a web-based business
In exchange for an upfront fee from the applicant, a company promises to set up a web-based business that will generate income through advertising revenue or products sold online by other businesses. The claims are false and no money will be generated for the applicant.
High-paying data entry jobs
Scammers often advertise illegitimate data entry jobs. The job description will claim you can earn high wages for minimal work. The job listing may require you to pay up front for job training or equipment. It also may require you to share your banking information prior to employment. If you see a data entry job offering a wage that seems much higher than the market average, investigate the company. Verify the company is posting this position publicly for the wage stated before responding to the job offer.
Job seekers should be sure to research the companies by contacting the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and the local Better Business Bureau. Additionally, search engines can help find reviews by searching the company’s name along with terms such as “complaint,” “scam,” or “review.”
Consumers who need help resolving a complaint against a business, or who suspect a scam or an unfair business practice, should contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at www.OhioProtects.org or 800-282-0515.
This evening, Ashland Police Division Officers were called to the 800 block of West Main for a civil standby that started to escalate when a man became upset.
As the situation seemed to be winding down and an officer was leaving, the man opened the door with a knife, though it remained in its sheath, escalating the situation.
The officer called for backup as a precaution, wanting to ensure safety for everyone involved.
The Police were able to defuse the situation without incident.
Some residents of the apartment were asked to wait until it was safe to return, focusing on public safety.
Lieutenant Kline emphasized the importance of using tactics to keep both officers and the public safe in such situations.”
SANDUSKY – On February 20, the Ohio State Highway Patrol will host regional testing for prospective applicants at the Cedar Point Sports Center, located at 2701 Cleveland Road in Sandusky.
Those interested in employment with the Patrol can come to the Cedar Point Sports Center at 9 a.m., where they will have the ability to talk with troopers about a career of service in our communities and on Ohio roadways. Those who meet the basic requirements to be a trooper – age 20 to 39, U.S. citizen, high school diploma or GED, and a valid driver license – will have the opportunity to complete an application and a written test during the event. If the written test is passed, applicants can proceed and take the physical fitness assessment on the spot.
Prospective applicants should arrive in appropriate business attire with identification and bring physical fitness clothing with them. This regional testing opportunity gives prospective applicants a chance to quickly complete the first few steps of the application process, bringing them closer to their goal of being a trooper.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol employs highly motivated and well -trained professionals who are committed to providing quality service to those who live, visit and do business in Ohio. If you are looking to make a difference in your community, becoming a trooper is the right career for you!
The Patrol is accepting applications for our next Academy Class. If you can’t make it on February 20, or want more details on the requirements or application process, call 1-866-TROOPER, scan the QR code below, or click here to start your journey with the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Scipio Township – The Norwalk Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a commercial vehicle versus passenger car crash that occurred Wednesday February 14, 2024 at 06:00 PM on State Route 18 at the intersection of County Road 43 in Scipio Township, Seneca County.
Surrendra Rambarran, age 55, of Kissimmee Florida, was driving a red 2006 Freightliner semi southbound on CR 43. Brooklyn M. Bailes, age 21, of Tiffin Ohio, was driving a silver 2011 Chevy car eastbound on SR 18. Rhonda L. Bailes, age 45, of Bloomville Ohio, was a front seat passenger. Savanna N. Crisp, age 21, of Findlay Ohio, was a backseat passenger.
Mr. Rambarran’s Freightliner semi failed to stop at the intersection and the rear of its trailer was struck by Ms. Bailes Chevy car. Ms. Bailes Chevy car traveled off the right side of the roadway in the southwest corner of the intersection. Mr. Surrendra’s Freightliner semi came to a controlled stop on CR 43 south of SR 18.
Mr. Surrendra was wearing his safety belt and was not injured as a result of the crash.
Ms. Brooklyn Bailes sustained serious injuries and was flown by Mercy LifeFlight to St. Vincent Medical Center. She was trapped inside the vehicle and was extricated by mechanical means. It is unknown at this time if Ms. Bailes was wearing a safety belt.
Ms. Rhonda Bailes sustained serious injuries and was flown by Mercy LifeFlight to St. Vincent Medical Center. She was trapped inside the vehicle and was extricated by mechanical means. It is unknown at this time if Ms. Bailes was wearing a safety belt.
Ms. Crisp sustained minor injuries and was transported to Tiffin Mercy by Seneca County EMS. It is unknown at this time if Ms. Crisp was wearing a safety belt.
Alcohol and drugs are not suspected factors in the crash. The crash remains under investigation.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted by the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office, Scipio-Republic Fire Department, Seneca County EMS, Mercy LifeFlight, Keller Brother’s Towing, and Rush Repairs and Recovery.
In a Sub-rosa Indictment, 33-year-old Jordan Bicker of Ashland was charged with 11 counts of illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material or performance, classified as 5th-degree felonies, and 5 counts of pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor, categorized as 4th-degree felonies.
During his bond hearing on February 13, 2024, presided over by Magistrate Paul Lange and attended by Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Michael Callow from the Ashland County Prosecutor’s Office, a bond of $15,000.00 was set. Options for bond included a surety bond, real estate or securities as collateral, or a cash deposit. The arraignment was scheduled for Thursday, February 15, 2024, at 9:00 a.m., to be conducted via Zoom Meeting video.
Jordan Bicker
Jordan Bicker is being represented by Attorney Daniel Sabol.
According to court documents, Lieutenant Detective Jason Martin of the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office questioned Jordan Bicker about his phone usage, during which Bicker admitted to viewing pornography but denied knowingly accessing child pornography. However, a text message found on his phone indicated otherwise. Upon further investigation, several hundred images of child pornography were discovered on Bicker’s phone, depicting young juvenile females engaged in sexual activities.
In the case of STATE OF OHIO vs. JORDAN BICKER (Case number 24-CRI-069), the charges are detailed as follows:
Eleven counts, 5th Degree Felony of ILLEGAL USE OF MINOR OR IMPAIRED PERSON IN NUDITY-ORIENTED MATERIAL OR PERFORMANCE (Section 2907.323(A)(3), 2907.323(B) of the Ohio Revised Code), a felony of the fifth degree.
In that on or about July 26, 2023, in Ashland County, Ohio, Jordan Bicker, did possess or view material or performance that shows a minor who was not Jordan Bicker’s child or ward in a state of nudity, in violation of Ohio Revised Code
Five counts, 4th Degree Felony PANDERING SEXUALLY-ORIENTED MATTER INVOLVING A MINOR OR IMPAIRED PERSON (Section 2907.322(A)(5), 2907.322(C) of the Ohio Revised Code), a felony of the fourth degree.
In that on or about July 26, 2023, in Ashland County, Ohio, Jordan Bicker, did, with knowledge of the character of the material or performance involved, knowingly solicit, receive, purchase, exchange, possess, or control material that shows a minor participating or engaging in sexual activity, masturbation, or bestiality, in violation of Ohio Revised Code
MANSFIELD, Ohio – The Richland County Board of Commissioners released the State of the County Video during regular session on Tuesday morning. This video highlights the 2023 year in review and includes presentations from County Commissioners Darrell Banks, Tony Vero, and Cliff Mears, as well as County Administrator Andrew Keller and Sheriff Steve Sheldon.
The video is the second installment in a series of three Richland County branding videos and shines a spotlight on many of the County’s notable projects, community investments, and the County’s financial position. The Commissioners plan to release a State of the County Video on an annual basis as a part of the Board’s emphasis on transparency and local government accountability.
On February 11, 2024, at approximately 8:47 PM, Ontario Police were called to 1019 Landings Court in Ontario regarding a violation of a protection order. The caller indicated that the subject was also armed.
Upon arrival officers were confronted by 32-year-old Jareth Vance of Perrysville as he held a female hostage at gunpoint. Officers tried to rescue the hostage and Vance fired at them, striking one of the officers.
After the shooting occurred a hostage escaped Vance’s control and he shot her as well. Her condition was not known at the time of this news release. Vance then barricaded himself inside the residence where he held a 16-year-old hostage.
The Richland County ASORT team along with Hostage Negotiators were called along with Mansfield Police, Shelby Police, The Richland County Sheriff’s Office and the Ohio State Highway Patrol assisted on scene.
After a four-hour standoff Vance surrendered to law enforcement with no further injuries. The 16-year-old hostage was then rescued unharmed.
The 6-year veteran officer is currently hospitalized and in stable condition. The Ontario Police Department would like to thank everyone for the tremendous outpouring of support for our officer and the female victim. It is greatly appreciated.
Imagine stepping back in time and witnessing a pivotal moment in history firsthand. That’s exactly what students at Genesis Christian Academy in Ashland, Ohio had the opportunity to do when Kenneth Hammontree, a history teacher at the academy, portrayed Martin Luther and the Reformation on October 31, 1517. This immersive experience allowed the students to gain a deeper understanding of the remarkable events and a day in history.
Martin Luther: The Key Figure of the Protestant Revolution
Whatever opinion one holds regarding the value of Luther’s reformatory work, he is by common consent the key figure in the Protestant Revolution that changed the course of the church and all of Europe. On October 31, 1517, there was only one Protestant – Martin Luther. A few years later, there were millions. The violent explosion known as the Reformation split the church of the 16th century into a number of segments, of which the Lutheran Church is one.
The Start of the Reformation: Luther’s 95 Theses
The Reformation began on the eve of All Souls’ Day, October 31, 1517. On that day, Martin Luther, professor of Biblical studies at the newly founded University of Wittenberg in Germany, announced a disputation on indulgences. He stated his argument in 95 Theses. Though they were heavily academic and moderate in tone, news of them spread like wildfire throughout Europe. All marveled that one obscure Augustinian Monk, a Black Friar of the Augustinian Hermits to be exact, from an unknown university had stirred the whole of Europe.
Luther’s Stand Against the Roman Catholic Church
Luther saw that the trade in indulgences was wholly unwarranted by Holy Scripture, reason, or tradition. His contemporaries knew at once that Luther had touched the exposed nerve of the Roman Catholic Church. Christian Europe was never the same again. Luther was excommunicated by the Pope in 1520 and finally outlawed by the Emperor Charles V at the Diet of Worms in 1521. Luther’s dramatic stand against both the Pope and Emperor fired the imagination of all Europe.
The Birth of the Protestant Movement
In 1529, at the Diet of Speyer, the Emperor Charles V attempted to stop Luther’s movement by force. However, some of the princes of the various German states stood up in ‘protest’. The movement, which intended to reform Catholicism from within, separated and became known as the Protestant movement. However, in the end, Luther’s movement split the Christian Church in Europe.
The Life and Journey of Martin Luther
Martin Luther, the great German Reformer, was born in Eisleben as the son of a peasant and studied law at the University of Erfurt. In 1505, he joined the Augustinian Hermits in Erfurt, and after taking a dramatic vow during a terrible thunderstorm experienced a sudden conversion. Luther was ordained in 1507 and after studying theology and law, he was sent to the University of Wittenberg. There, he soon became a Biblical Bachelor and Sententiary in 1509, and later, a Doctor of Theology.
Luther’s Opposition to Indulgences
During a visit to Rome, Luther became acquainted with the heathenish life of the Roman Curia. Luxury and license were everywhere as he realized, as never before, the uses that were being made of the vast sums of money extorted each year from the German people and Church. The Elector and Archbishop Albert of Mainz had made an arrangement with Leo X to raise a large sum of money by the sale of indulgences. Luther’s main thrust at first was not to break away from the mother church but to eliminate indulgences and corrupt preachers such as Tetzel.
Luther’s Stand for a Translated Bible
In 1518, Luther’s 95 Theses were condemned by the Pope and Luther was summoned to Rome. Luther refused to recant on all issues unless his ideas could be refuted on scriptural grounds. For his own safety, he was seized and taken to the Wartburg Castle under the protection of Frederick of Saxony. There, in the castle, he devoted his energies to translating the New Testament into German so that the Bible might be read by all. Luther opened up a new world for the average person to read and understand the Bible in their language, German. He affirmed the final authority of a self-interpreted Bible and rejected non-scriptural beliefs held by the Church.
In conclusion, the portrayal of Martin Luther and the Reformation on October 31, 1517, performed by Kenneth Hammontree at Genesis Christian Academy in Ashland, Ohio, provided students with a unique opportunity to witness a significant moment in history. Luther’s role as the key figure in the Protestant Revolution and his stand against the Roman Catholic Church shaped the course of Christianity and European society. Through his translations of the Bible, Luther empowered the common man to read and understand scripture, challenging the authority of the Church. These events continue to have a profound impact on religious and cultural practices to this day.
Ashland Police Division and Ashland EMS responded a dog attack on Pleasant Street, a woman was viciously attacked by a pit bull. The woman suffered serious injuries to her head/arm and transported to the trauma center at Ohio Health in Mansfield.
Lieutenant Bloodhart of the Ashland Police Division stated that Officers and EMS personnel arrived at the scene at approximately 11 am. They found a 53-year-old woman who had been bitten by a dog. The victim, who was on her own property at the time of the attack, suffered injuries that required urgent medical attention. As a result, she was transported to Mansfield for treatment.
Following the attack, the Ashland County dog warden was contacted and arrived at the scene shortly after. The warden, Joe Eggerton, took custody of the pit bull and placed it in quarantine for testing purposes. It is essential to determine if the dog was carrying rabies since it lacked proper vaccination records and was unlicensed. The severity of the injuries inflicted on the woman led to the pit bull deemed a vicious dog.
As of now, charges have not yet been filed in relation to the attack on Pleasant Street. The investigation is ongoing, with both the Ashland Police Division and the Ashland County dog warden working together.
According to Google, pit bulls accounted for a staggering 82% of attacking dogs in 2023. These powerful and strong canines were responsible for 92% of the 131 attacks on children, 58% of the 283 attacks on adults, 81% of the 69 human deaths, and 63% of the disfigurements. These statistics shed light on the concerning prevalence of pit bull aggression and the potential dangers they pose.
The recent pit bull attack on a woman highlights the importance of responsible pet ownership. It serves as a reminder that even well-loved and cared-for dogs can exhibit aggression under certain circumstances.
Some believe pit bulls have been unfairly stigmatized due to isolated incidents of violence, it is crucial to remember that all dogs have the potential for aggression. Adequate training, socialization, and responsible ownership can help prevent such unfortunate incidents and ensure a safe environment for both humans and animals.
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — A former chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, two former FirstEnergy Corp. executives and two entities have been indicted by a Summit County grand jury as a corrupt enterprise for their alleged role in the House Bill 6 scandal, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh and Summit County Sheriff Kandy Fatheree announced yesterday.
“This indictment is about more than one piece of legislation,” Yost said. “It is about the hostile capture of a significant portion of Ohio’s state government by deception, betrayal and dishonesty. Shout it from the public square to the boardroom, from Wall Street to Broad and High: Those who perversely seek to turn the government to their own private ends will face the destruction of everything they worked for.”
Charged with a combined 27 felony counts are Samuel “Sam” Randazzo, former PUCO chairman; Charles “Chuck” Jones, former CEO of First Energy; Michael Dowling, former First Energy senior vice president of external affairs.
Two companies controlled by Randazzo – the Sustainability Funding Alliance of Ohio and IEU-Ohio Administration Co. – are also named in the filing. Both are alleged to be shell companies created solely for furthering Randazzo’s alleged criminal activity.
“Jones and Dowling actively worked to spend FirstEnergy money to improperly influence Randazzo to exercise the authority of PUCO chairman to advance FirstEnergy’s regulatory and policy agendas,” the indictment says. Specifically, the indictment accuses the enterprise of engaging in a scheme to corrupt the PUCO chairman and ratemaking policies, stealing millions of dollars from FirstEnergy and a nonprofit trade group, and tampering with government records.
The state charges stem from an investigation conducted by a task force organized under the Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission, within the Attorney General’s Office. The task force was created at the request of the prosecutor of Summit County, where FirstEnergy is headquartered. By Ohio law, the attorney general’s OCIC task force cannot initiate an investigation without a request from a prosecutor.
“These individuals used First Energy to break the law and betray the public’s trust,” Prosecutor Walsh said. “This indictment is another step toward bringing justice for the residents of Summit County and Ohio. We appreciate the ability to work jointly with Attorney General Yost and the Ohio Organized Crime Commission. This collaboration between state and county law enforcement is an example of government doing its best to fight crime and corruption in not only Summit County but throughout the state.”
The task force, led by Deputy Attorney General for Law Enforcement Carol O’Brien, includes agents, analysts, paralegal and accountants from Yost’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation; the Summit County Sheriff’s Office; and prosecutors from the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office. The Ohio Ethics Commission also assisted in the investigation.
“Today we take another important step toward ensuring that the individuals involved in this scandal are held accountable for their actions, which ultimately impacted the pocketbooks of every hardworking Ohioan,” Sheriff Fatheree said. “I am very proud of my Detective Bureau and of all those involved in this investigation.”
Randazzo and others have been indicted and prosecuted in federal court for their role in the House Bill 6 scandal. These state charges mark the first criminal charges against Jones and Dowling.
The conduct alleged in the indictment took place between 2010 and 2021 in Summit County, Franklin County and Florida.
Randazzo was indicted on 22 felony counts:
One count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity (F1)
One count of grand theft (F1)
Two counts aggravated theft (F2)
One count of bribery (F3)
Three counts of telecommunications fraud (F1)
Eight counts of money laundering (F3)
Six counts of tampering with records (F3)
Jones was indicted on 10 felony counts:
One count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity (F1)
Two counts of aggravated theft of $1.5 million or more (F1)
One count of bribery (F3)
Two counts of telecommunications fraud (F1)
Four counts of money laundering (F3)
Dowling was indicted on 12 felony counts:
One count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity (F1)
Two counts aggravated theft of $1.5 million or more (F1)
One count of bribery (F3)
Two counts of telecommunications fraud (F1)
Four counts of money laundering (F3)
Two counts of tampering with records (F3)
Sustainability Funding Alliance of Ohio is included in 11 criminal charges:
One count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity (F1)
Two counts of telecommunications fraud (F1)
Six counts of money laundering (F3)
Two counts of aggravated theft (F2)
IEU-Ohio Administration is included in five criminal charges:
One count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity (F1)
One count of grand theft (F4)
One count of telecommunications fraud (F1)
Two counts of money laundering (F3)
Indictments merely contain allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proved guilty in a court of law.
How we got here
These criminal indictments mark the latest development in Attorney General Yost’s continued work to hold those responsible for the House Bill 6 scandal accountable while saving Ohioans significant taxpayer dollars.
Through several civil court filings, Yost removed the ill-gotten gains from the corruption legislation, saving the state’s FirstEnergy customers nearly $2 billion over the life of HB6. Here is a timeline of those efforts:
September 2020: Seeking to right the harm caused to Ohio, Yost files a civil lawsuit against former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder, FirstEnergy, FirstEnergy subsidiary Energy Harbor, and various accomplices.
November 2020: Yost moved to block HB6’s nuclear bailout, which would have taken $150 million a year from ratepayers to give to Energy Harbor. December 2020: Yost’s request to prevent the bailout is granted by a judge.
January 2021: Yost files a motion to prevent the “decoupling rider,” which would have cost customers $700 million to $1 billion through 2029.
August 2021: A judge grants Yost’s request to freeze $8 million of Randazzo’s assets after Randazzo began transferring and selling properties. The ruling was later appealed and affirmed.
In August 2021, Yost sues former FirstEnergy CEO Jones and Randazzo, among others, seeking to recover the $4.3 million bribe that FirstEnergy has admitted paying Randazzo.
About OOCIC
Established in 1986 within the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, the Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission (OOCIC) assists local law enforcement agencies in combatting organized crime and corrupt activities. “Organized criminal activity” means any combination or conspiracy to engage in activity that constitutes “engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity;” any criminal activity that relates to the corruption of a public official or public servant; or any violation, combination of violations, or conspiracy to commit one or more violations related to drug trafficking, manufacturing and/or possession.
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Joe Lyons •
February 15, 2024
SANDUSKY – On February 20, the Ohio State Highway Patrol will host regional testing for prospective applicants at the Cedar Point Sports Center, located at 2701 Cleveland Road in Sandusky.
Scipio Township – The Norwalk Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a commercial vehicle versus passenger car crash that occurred Wednesday February 14, 2024 at 06:00 PM on State Route 18 at the intersection of County Road 43 in Scipio Township, Seneca County.
In a Sub-rosa Indictment, 33-year-old Jordan Bicker of Ashland was charged with 11 counts of illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material or performance, classified as 5th-degree felonies, and 5 counts of pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor, categorized as 4th-degree felonies.
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — A former chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, two former FirstEnergy Corp. executives and two entities have been indicted by a Summit County grand jury as a corrupt enterprise for their alleged role in the House Bill 6 scandal, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh and Summit County Sheriff Kandy Fatheree announced yesterday.