The Ignorance and Corruption Continues..In Ohio

Written by
Kim Wendel FILED UNDER


CLEVELAND -- Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason said the Newburgh Heights service director, a villaeg councilwoman and a fomer mayor have been indicted on criminal charges.

Mason said that Service Director Jose Padilla, 47, was indicted on one count of theft in office and five counts of tampering with records.

Current Village Councilwoman Deborah Padilla, 48, was indicted on one count of having an unlawful interest in a public contract.

Former Village of Newburgh Heights Mayor Derrick Kinder, 53, was indicted on one count of theft in office.

Just after 7:30 p.m. Friday, Newburgh Heights Mayor Trevor Elkins released a statement, saying in part,

"...Service Director Jose Padilla has been on unpaid leave since September 2011 throughout the investigation. The matter is in the hands of the justice system at this time and, until the situation is resolved, the Village of Newburgh Heights has no further comment...."

Mason said that, from January 1, 2011, through September 29, 2011, Village of Newburgh Heights Service Director Jose Padilla was working two separate jobs and being compensated for both at the same time.

Padilla was working as the Village Service Director and also as an employee at Universal J&Z Machine LLC, located in Cleveland.

The estimated loss to the Village is approximately $8,000.

The five counts of tampering with records pertain to five separate falsified time sheets.

Current Councilwoman Deborah Padilla, and wife of Jose Padilla, was indicted for approving a time sheet for her husband while serving on the Village of Newburgh Heights Council's Finance Committee.

Former Mayor Derrick Kinder misused Village property by accepting and using Village property without paying for it.

Mason did not supply any further details on the indictments.