BUTLER COUNTY, Ohio — The criminal trial of Roger Reynolds began Monday with the prosecution dismissing one misdemeanor charge that alleged an improper campaign contribution against the recently re-elected Butler County auditor.
Reynolds is now being tried for four felonies and two misdemeanors. If found guilty of the felonies, he faces time in prison and would have to leave office. He is accused of leveraging his public office to further his own interests.
The trial is slated to last two weeks but could go longer, visiting judge Daniel Hogan told a courtroom full of prospective jurors in the super courtroom at the Butler County Government Services Center.
Reynolds was first indicted in February following a months-long Butler County Sheriff’s Office investigation that began, in part, when he was sued in a civil case. The BCSO began investigating Reynolds after receiving complaints about his development dealings and efforts to help his father.
Reynolds is facing a bribery charge, a third-degree felony that carries a potential sentence of nine months to three years and a fine up to $10,000. The other three felonies are fourth degree for unlawful interest in a public contract. Those carry penalties of six to nine months.
The conflict of interest charge that was dismissed alleged Reynolds offered a $1,000 campaign contribution to a West Chester Twp. trustee’s campaign during a discussion of whether the trustee would be for or against Tax Increment Financing that would provide public funds for infrastructure along Hamilton-Mason Road. That would ultimately allow for the further development of property belonging to Reynolds’ father.
Defense attorney Chad Ziepfel entered not guilty pleas and said in statements that his client has committed no crime.
Reynolds has maintained he is the victim of a political witch hunt by the state to punish him for challenging a state-mandated property value hike.
Reynolds, 53, was appointed county auditor in April 2008. He was elected to complete the full term as auditor in November 2008 and subsequently was re-elected to full, four-year terms in 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022.
Prosecutors allege the bribery crime happened Nov. 8, 2019, and on or about Sept. 17, 2021, when Reynolds, an elected official, “approached a developer attempting to gain approval for a development project and offered to sell the development company his father’s land for $500,000, 2-3 acres of land valued at $21,000 by the Butler County Auditor’s Office, and requested the developer employ him as a consultant at a fee of $200,000 to guide the development project through local governmental requirements,” according to the bill of particulars filed.
A second felony charge of unlawful interest in a public contract is tied to events that allegedly happened between April 6, 2021, and Aug. 31, 2021, when Reynolds used his office to influence a public contract.
Specifically, Reynolds is accused of influencing governmental officials to secure approval of a Tax Increment Financing proposal to provide public funding from three government entities for infrastructure and improvements to Hamilton-Mason Road. Those would benefit himself or a member of his family by providing public funds that would enhance the ability to develop property owned by his family, according to court documents.
The felony charge added in July stems from his alleged actions in January 2017 and also involves family members, and Reynolds as a member of the golf club, where he also lives, according to court documents and the sheriff.
Prosecutors allege Reynolds attempted to get Lakota Local Schools to use money it would be receiving to build an expanded facility at the country club that could be used by the school.
In September 2017, Reynolds’ office returned $2 million to all taxing districts and $459,498 to Lakota. The fees are monies the auditor’s office receives from the state for calculating and distributing real estate taxes from levies to local governments. The auditor’s office doesn’t need all the fees to operate.
Timeline of criminal case against Butler County Auditor Roger Reynolds
August 2021 — Butler County Sheriff’s Office begins investigating Roger Reynolds after a civil lawsuit is filed against Reynolds claiming interference in connection with a West Chester man’s land and business relations. Attorney General Dave Yost assigns investigators with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation to assist.
September 2021 — A special prosecutor from the attorney general’s office is assigned to the case.
Feb. 9, 2022 — Reynolds is indicted by a Butler County grand jury on three felony charges, including bribery and two misdemeanors.
Feb. 24, 2022 — Reynolds pleads not guilty at arraignment in Butler County Common Pleas Court. Visiting Judge Daniel Hogan releases Reynolds on his own recognizance. Trial date set for Aug. 15.
March 2022 — Chad Ziepfel, Reynolds’ attorney, files a motion to have all charges dismissed based on a flawed bill of particulars. The motion is denied and the case moves forward.
July 13, 2022 — A superseding indictment is handed down by a grand jury, charging Reynolds with a fourth felony.
Aug. 3 — Arraignment for Reynolds on the new indictment. His attorney enters a not-guilty plea on his behalf. Trial continued until Dec. 12 at the request of the prosecution.
Nov. 8 — Reynolds is elected to his fourth full term as Butler County auditor.
Dec. 12 — Reynolds’ criminal trial set to begin in common pleas court.
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