School district officials criminally charged with making illicit payments to D.C. consultant

Criminal charges are pending against an Ohio superintendent, as well current and former school board members, for "illegal transaction of public funds" and "dereliction of duty."

They allege $57,000 in government money was used to promote an operating levy for the Bellbrook-Sugarcreek School District and then pay consulting firm Allerton Hill to design a new levy campaign after the first failed, the Xenia Daily Gazette reported.

Allerton Hill has a mailbox near Capitol Hill but is primarily based in Ohio. It specializes in crafting "a successful engagement strategy for your school."

Superintendent Doug Cozad authorized a mailer to the community promoting the May 2019 levy and chose the language. "An investment in our schools is an investment in our community," the affidavit said. 

The board sent a letter to local residents with a picture of its members, asking the community to "Continue the Excellence" by passing the levy. It was signed by board members Elizabeth Betz, David Carpenter, Kathy Kingston and Virginia Slouffman and included a postcard with details on the election. Cozad and the members authorized payment, the affidavit said. 

Cozad also approved and authorized $37,500 to Allerton Hill for help in "reviving and passing" a new levy, as well as $15,000 to Fallon Research and Communication for a phone survey designed for the same purpose, WHIO reported.

The superintendent is charged with four counts of each misdemeanor, while the board members are charged with one each. 

Carpenter, the board president, told the news organizations he has "no reason to think anything of substance or substantial truth about it." The news organizations said Cozad didn't respond to a request for comment.

Court records show the allegation of "misuse of public funding to further a political agenda" was first brought to a county sheriff months after the May 2019 levy failed, then referred to an unnamed agency. The Auditor of State’s Special Investigations Unit filed charges this week.

The school board scheduled an emergency meeting for Saturday to discuss the charges, saying that if it takes "any official action" on the matter it will be in the open meeting portion after executive session.