Harrison Township Trustee Pleads Guilty to Theft in Office After Using Township Fuel Account to Fill Personal Vehicle on Dozens of Occasions

Press Release •Ohio Auditor of State

COLUMBUS - A Harrison Township trustee pleaded guilty to a felony count of theft in office after he was caught filling his personal vehicle with fuel paid through a township account.

Wesley Davidson's plea was filed Wednesday in Vinton County Common Pleas Court, admitting to the charge that was outlined in a bill of information.

The Auditor of State's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) launched an investigation in July 2025 after the township fiscal officer voiced concerns to auditors about Davidson's fuel use.

SIU determined Davidson had filled his personal vehicle on dozens of occasions using the township account. The fuel bills totaled more than $2,300.

Prosecutors are seeking restitution for the fuel bills and audit costs, among other sentencing terms. Davidson's plea bars him from serving in public office.

Since 2019, the Special Investigations Unit has assisted in 157 convictions resulting in more than $16.4 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]