In Other News

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced Dollar General settlement brings help to Ohioans

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced that the bulk of a $1 million settlement with Dollar General would go to food banks or other hunger-relief organizations in each of the state’s 88 counties.

Under an agreement reached between Yost’s office and Dollar General, $750,000 of the settlement money was distributed to food banks for the purchase and distribution of food and/or personal-care items. Each county auditor chose the beneficiaries in his or her county to receive the funds.

Dollar General, a Tennessee-based discount retail chain with more than 980 stores in Ohio, charged more for some items at the register than the price marked on the shelves, and failed to adjust for the lower price when customers pointed it out.

County auditors conduct inspections at retail businesses to make sure products ring up at the correct price. The Dollar General case originated in Butler County, and many other auditors eventually uncovered similar errors upon inspecting Dollar General stores in their counties.

In addition to monetary relief, the settlement requires Dollar General to make various changes to ensure that its products ring up at the correct price:

It must staff its stores sufficiently to keep shelf tags updated.

If a consumer points out that the register price is higher than the shelf price, the checkout clerk must adjust the price to match the shelf tag; in addition, the shelf tag must corrected within 24 hours.

District managers must conduct random price checks every 45 days.

Stores that receive three “failed” auditors reports within six months must complete a full-store assessment and check the price of every item in the store to ensure accuracy.

The company also must educate all employees about this policy and post signs in its Ohio stores informing customers of the same.

Ohioans who suspect unfair business practices should contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at OhioProtects.org or 800-282-0515.

Columbus man sentenced to more than 14 years in prison for attempting to support terrorist plot to murder former President

COLUMBUS, Ohio – An Iraqi citizen living in Columbus was sentenced in federal court here today to 178 months in prison for attempting to provide material support to a terrorist organization as part of a plot to murder former United States President George W. Bush.

Shihab Ahmed Shihab Shihab, 53, believed the former President was responsible for killing many Iraqis and breaking apart the entire country of Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The defendant’s own life changed during and after the war and he proudly assisted in this plot.

Shihab originally entered the United States in September 2020 and primarily resided in Columbus from December 2020 until his arrest in May 2022. Throughout much of that time, Shihab attempted to provide material support to terrorists in furtherance of a plot to assassinate former President George W. Bush.

Shihab hoped to smuggle at least four Iraqis associated with ISIS into the United States with the goal of completing the assassination. In fact, in the fall of 2021, Shihab believed he successfully smuggled an ISIS member into the United States for a fee of $40,000. Shihab accepted tens of thousands of dollars for the purported smuggling. In reality, the individual was fictitious, and the interaction was coordinated under the direction of the FBI.

In furtherance of the assassination plot, Shihab traveled to Dallas in February 2022 to conduct surveillance of locations associated with the former President. For example, he recorded videos of the front access gate and surrounding area leading into the neighborhood of the former President’s home.

In March 2022, Shihab met with others in a hotel room in Columbus to look at sample firearms and law enforcement uniforms.

Shihab required the use of burner phones, encrypted communication applications and code names as plans evolved.

Shihab was arrested by FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force agents in May 2022. He pleaded guilty in March 2023 to attempting to provide material support to terrorists. Shihab was also sentenced today to a lifetime of supervised release following his prison sentence.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Matthew G. Olsen, Assistant Attorney General, Department of Justice, National Security Division; Cheryl Mimura, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; and Yvonne Dicristoforo, Special Agent in Charge, United States Secret Service, announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Watson. Deputy Criminal Chief Jessica W. Knight and Trial Attorney Frank Russo from the Department of Justice’s National Security Division are representing the United States in this case.

MWCD Accepts First Place Award for Trails Program

Staff from the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) recently attended the Ohio Park and Recreation Association (OPRA) annual conference in Sandusky, Ohio. During the conference, the OPRA Annual Awards of Excellence were presented at a banquet hosted by the association on February 6, 2024.

The MWCD was proud to accept a 1st place award in the health and wellness category for a new initiative in 2023, “Capture the Canvas”. The awards are judged by a panel of parks and recreation professionals from around Ohio.

“Parks and recreation professionals throughout Ohio work every day to improve the quality of life of the people they serve,” said OPRA Executive Director Woody Woodward. “This effort is a shining example of that kind of work, and we are pleased to be able to present this award.”

Capture the Canvas was created with the intention to bring artwork to MWCD trails and increase awareness of the trail system. MWCD also sought participation from local schools to strengthen community partnerships and showcase the artwork of area students.

“I am immensely proud of our organization’s dedication to creating and maintaining a trail system throughout the Muskingum Watershed district for the betterment of residents and guests to our area,” said Craig Butler, MWCD Executive Director. “Receiving this award not only recognizes our hard work, but also underscores the profound impact our trails have on communities, recreation, and conservation.”

Once on the trail, users were encouraged to find the canvas, capture a “selfie”, and upload it to the MWCD website for a chance to win one of three prizes including $1,000 cash donated by Encino Energy, a weekend stay a deluxe log cabin at Pleasant Hill Lake Park, and a full-day pontoon rental from an MWCD operated marina. Counters on the trails documented 6,702 people between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The prize winners included Robert Calhoun, Stephanie Brinkman, and Kimberly Kress.

Five high schools created original pieces for this program. The canvases were beautiful pieces of art ranging from nature, birds, bears, and outdoor fantasy.

The MWCD has committed to increase trail accessibility to all people in the coming years by not only building new trails on MWCD property, but also through a partnership with the Buckeye Trail Association. Public surveys and feedback from neighboring communities and park guests have consistently emphasized the importance of trails. The MWCD has invested over a million dollars in trail development over the last five years.

Capture the Canvas 2024 will kick-off on May 24 and conclude on Monday, September 2, 2024. Follow MWCD online at www.mwcd.org and on Facebook and Instagram for more information about how to register and prize opportunities the upcoming promotion.

Photo Award Photo: Woody Woodward, OPRA Executive Director, Eric Stechschulte, Dylan Sayre, Aaron Stump, and Nate Eppink, OPRA Board President

Prize Winner “Selfies” submitted from the promotion: 1st place – Robert Calhoun, 2nd Place- Stephanie Brinkman, 3rd Place- Kimberly Kress

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Beware of job offers that seem too good to be true

Beware of job scams

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.

Ohio State Highway Patrol to host regional testing for prospective applicants on February 20 in Sandusky

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.

Norwalk Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol Investigating Serious Injury Crash

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.

Former PUCO Chairman, Former FirstEnergy Executives Indicted on Public Corruption Charges

(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.”

A copy of the indictment is available on the attorney general’s website.

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.

Murder Charge Filed in 2017 Disappearance of Huron County Mother Amanda Dean

(NORWALK, Ohio) — A Huron County man has been indicted on felony charges – including murder – in connection with the disappearance six years ago of his girlfriend, Amanda Dean, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced today.

Frederick Reer, 40, of Collins, faces charges of murder, abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence. Agents with the attorney general’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation arrested Reer on Friday following his indictment and transported him to the Huron County jail, where he remains in custody. An arraignment hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Feb. 12 in Huron County Common Pleas Court.

Dean, a 36-year-old mother of four, was last seen on July 11, 2017, in Collins, a town just outside of Norwalk.

“So many memories won’t include Amanda, as her killer robbed these children of a life with their mother,” Yost said. “Her family deserves justice.”

The indictment, handed down by a Huron County grand jury, stems from an investigation led by BCI at the request of the Huron County Sheriff’s Office. The Huron County Common Pleas Court has appointed the Attorney General’s Office as special assistant to the Huron County prosecutor in the case.

Indictments are criminal allegations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless proved guilty in a court of law.

TourismOhio Launches New Feature For 2024 Solar Eclipse Trip Planning

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – With two months until the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse, TourismOhio today launched an all-new Total Solar Eclipse map to make planning for the event in Ohio even easier.

“We are excited to welcome eclipse enthusiasts to our great state,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “In Ohio, there’s far more to see and do beyond watching the solar eclipse. There are countless activities and destinations to explore. We encourage travelers to come early and state late for a full Heart of it All experience.”

The April 8 event will plunge parts of Ohio into total darkness for nearly 5 minutes as the moon passes between the sun and Earth. Several cities, including Dayton, Lima, Toledo, Findlay, Cleveland, and Akron, are in the path of totality. In total, 55 Ohio counties will experience at least a partial eclipse.

“From state agencies to our local partners, there are many Ohioans working together to ensure that visitors and residents have a safe an enjoyable experience in the Heart of it All,” said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Department of Development, which over sees the TourismOhio office. “With all there is to experience in Ohio, you can create an unforgettable weekend filled with memories your family will be talking about for years to come.”

The new interactive Total Solar Eclipse Map on Ohio.org helps visitors plan their trip to Ohio with places to watch the eclipse and an interactive list of viewing parties, festivals, and other events happening across the state.

“We’re so excited for the eclipse and to welcome visitors to Perrysburg and Wood County,” said Christine Best, Executive Director of Visit Perrysburg. “TourismOhio has provided us a great opportunity to bring awareness to our exciting eclipse events, like the Total Eclipse of the Burg, as well as the great places to check out around Perrysburg to eat and shop.”

The Total Solar Eclipse landing page also includes other ideas to create an out-of-this-world itinerary perfect for a long weekend—travelers can also go ‘to the moon and back’ along the Ohio Lunar Road Trip, or gaze up at the stars with the best spots in the state, and explore Ohio’s top-rated science museums with their families.

Visitors are encouraged to share their Ohio total solar eclipse memories and adventures on social media with #OhioTheHeartofitAll and #Eclipse2024.

 

Eclipse viewing at National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton

Governor DeWine Announces Availability of Funding for Sexual Assault Kit Testing

(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Andy Wilson today announced the availability of $1 million in funding to support the work of law enforcement and prosecutors to investigate and prosecute crimes of sexual assault in Ohio.

Funds awarded through the new Ohio Sexual Assault Investigations Grant Program can be used toward drug-facilitated sexual assault toxicology testing, sexual assault kit (SAK) testing, expert testimony, SAK storage upgrades, transportation/shipping costs, sexual assault investigations training, specialized DNA analysis, and other sexual assault investigation costs.

“Those who’ve committed sexual assault have no place in our communities,” said Governor DeWine. “The goal of this program is to help ensure that local law enforcement agencies have the tools they need to get offenders into custody as soon as possible.”

The Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS) is administering the Ohio Sexual Assault Investigations Grant Program. Agencies can submit reimbursement for sexual assault investigations connected to incidents that occurred on or after July 1, 2023.

APPLICATION: Ohio Sexual Assault Investigations Grant Program

Grant applications for the current fiscal year will be available through mid-June with additional funding slated to be released July 1, 2024. Individual grant amounts will depend on the number of qualifying entities that apply. Funding for the program was awarded by the Ohio General Assembly in the operating budget.

During his time as Ohio’s attorney general, Governor DeWine led a special initiative to test evidence from thousands of previously untested rape kits submitted by local law enforcement agencies in Ohio. Between 2011 and 2018, forensic scientists at the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation analyzed nearly 14,000 old rape kits submitted by local law enforcement, resulting in the upload of more than 8,600 DNA profiles into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). At the time that testing was completed in 2018, those profiles had led to more than 5,000 DNA matches.

“This new grant program is another example of Governor DeWine’s commitment to helping law enforcement get dangerous criminals off the streets,” said Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Andy Wilson. “The work of investigators is critical toward stopping future attacks and getting justice for survivors.”

By statute, OCJS is the lead justice planning and assistance office for the state, administering millions of dollars in state and federal criminal justice funding every year. OCJS also evaluates programs and develops technology, training, and products for criminal justice professionals and communities.

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