After hiring her children to work as interns in the auditor’s office four years ago, Athens City Auditor Kathy Hecht has agreed to pay more than $3,000 back to the city in a settlement agreement with the Ohio Ethics Commission.
Between Aug. 2005 and March 2007, Hecht’s children worked sporadically for the auditor’s office and were paid a total of $3240.45.
The hire violated Ohio Revised Code sections 2921.42(A)(1) and R.C. 102.03(D) because the children were hired into the office where Hecht held the position as auditor.
Hecht reviewed the hire with the city’s personnel director who “failed to raise potential nepotism issues,” according to Ohio Ethic Commission settlement documents.
“Hecht acknowledges that any future alleged violations brought to the commissioner or prosecutor’s office will be fully investigated and, if warranted by the facts, recommended to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” the agreement states.
The settlement was finalized Sept. 22 of this year.
ph835608@ohiou.edu
