Everyone the SCPR talks to is impressed with Alex Zumbar (Republican - Alliance) in terms of what he would bring to the Stark County treasury if he were elected to replace Gary Zeigler as Stark County treasurer.
But to be more impressive than interim Treasurer Ken Koher would take some doing
Koher surprised all of us who attend the weekly Stark County commissioners meeting several weeks ago when he showed up and asked the commissioners whether or not he could give them a report on the progress in fixing what ailed the treasury under the management of former treasurer Gary Zeigler.
Zeigler, we all know too well, was removed from office by the commissioners pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 321.17 after the loss from his office of $2.96 million. Federal Judge John Adams says he believes it was all stolen by former treasury Chief Deputy Vince Frustaci. He sentenced Frustaci to 10 years in federal prision. Frustaci admitted to stealing $2.46 million of the total $2.96 million loss.
Zeigler maintained that his office was in proper running order and that there was nothing he could have done (procedurally and structurally within the office) to prevent the theft.
It appears to The Report that Koher is proving him wrong.
Here is a paper copy of Koher's third weekly report to commissioners made today. Koher's report shows manifold changes for the better notwithstanding Zeigler's contention.
Among a number of important changes are the following:
- No blank checks lying around (remember how Frustaci went to FirstMerit with checks and walked off with $220,000 in cash?)
- Pay your tax bill to the "Stark County Treasurer" not as before: "Gary D. Zeigler, Stark County Treasurer)
- Making arrangements for FirstMerit Bank to send copies of "original" statements to appropriate "other" (than the treasurer's office) county officials. (Remember how Auditor Kim Perez "accepted" Frustaci provided "phonied up" statements?)
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