Former Village of Ashley Utility Clerk Sentenced to 180 Days in Jail, Ordered to Pay Restitution in Theft of Utility Payments

Press Release • Ohio Auditor of State

COLUMBUS - A former utility clerk for the Village of Ashley in Delaware County was sentenced to 180 days in jail and ordered to pay restitution and audit costs of $153,333.72 following her conviction in the theft of utility payments.

Allison McClain also must complete 4 years of community control and meet minimum monthly payments on restitution, under the sentence handed down in Delaware County Common Pleas Court Monday.

The Auditor of State's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) launched an investigation after the village identified discrepancies in utility deposits. SIU determined that McClain had stolen utility payments totaling more than $70,000 between August 2022 and May 2024.

McClain pleaded guilty in July to felony counts of theft in office and telecommunications fraud. With her conviction, she is barred from public office.

The Delaware County Prosecutor's Office appointed an SIU attorney as special prosecutor in the case.

Since 2019, the Special Investigations Unit has assisted in 166 convictions resulting in more than $17.9 million in restitution (see?Map of SIU Convictions?since January 2019). The team receives hundreds of tips of suspected fraud annually. Tips can be submitted anonymously online or via SIU's fraud hotline at 866-FRAUD-OH (866-372-8364).

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The Auditor of State's Office, one of five independently elected statewide offices in Ohio, is responsible for auditing more than 5,900 state and local government agencies. Under the direction of Auditor Keith Faber, the office also provides financial services to local governments, investigates and prevents fraud in public agencies, and promotes transparency in government.

Public Affairs
Contact: Marc Kovac
[email protected]