A judge denied Athens County's former top Democrat's request to drop convictions against her.
Susan Gwinn, 55, the former chairwoman of the Athens County Democratic Party, asked special judge to the case, William Wolff Jr., to throw out his verdict against her in January, according to court documents.
Gwinn was convicted on two misdemeanor counts of falsification, related to her failed run for prosecutor in 2008.
The case's special prosecutor David Yost said Gwinn channeled $27,500 of campaign contributions from family and friends into a personal bank account, and hid the source of the money.
Gwinn was charged with theft in office, a felony, and unauthorized use of property, a misdemeanor, but Wolff found her not guilty of those charges.
In her motion for acquittal, Gwinn argued that according to the Ohio Revised Code she did not need to list family and friends who gave her the loans because she paid part of the loans back.
Wolff overturned her motion for acquittal Monday, writing Gwinn knew she would use the money from family and friends for the campaign, but she still should have listed the contributions in the campaign finance reports.
I'm glad the judge brought his common sense to court
Yost said of Wolff's decision.
Gwinn's sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 19. She could spend a maximum of almost a year in prison.
I will ask for the judge to impose a punishment that makes it clear that the conduct ... is unacceptable Yost said.
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Gail Burkhardt
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