O’Connor Names Commission to Weigh Suspension of Republican County
Auditor
Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor announced a special
commission of three retired judges Monday to weigh Van Wert County Auditor
Philip Baxter’s suspension from office.
Baxter, a Republican, and Deputy Auditors Julienne Rolsten andJuliann
Zinn have been indicted on charges of breaking and entering the offices of
county Treasurer Nathan Vandenbroek, who is said to have a poor relationship
with Baxter and whose office is currently under special audit.
The auditor’s indictment adds unauthorized use of a computer, cable or
telecommunications -- like breaking and entering a 5th degree felony -- and
intimidation, a 1st degree misdemeanor.
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) conducted the probe, and Henry
County Prosecutor Gwen Howe-Gebers is acting as special prosecutor.
Baxter,
Rolsten and Zinn are scheduled for pretrial hearings on Jan. 16, 2020 before
retired Greene County Common Pleas Court Judge J. Timothy Campbell, who ordered
the auditor’s preliminary suspension last week. Baxter complied.
O’Connor
has named former 10th District Court of Appeals Judge Patrick McGrath, former
Belmont County Common Pleas Court Judge Jennifer Sargus and former Athens
County Common Pleas Court Judge L. Alan Goldsberry to the special commission.