For more information, contact:
Paul M. Nick
Chief Investigative Attorney
(614) 466-7090

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                                                  

FORMER CLARK COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY DIRECTOR ROBERT HUPP CONVICTED

The former Director of the Clark County Emergency Management Agency, Robert Hupp, pleaded guilty today before Clark County Common Pleas Judge Douglas Rastatter.  Hupp, 52, of Springfield, Ohio, pled guilty to three fourth-degree felony charges which include one count of Theft in Office and two counts of Having an Unlawful Interest in a Public Contract, for using his public position to benefit himself. 

Hupp faces a maximum penalty of up to four and a half years in prison, $15,000 in fines plus court costs, and also restitution to the County.   Judge Rastatter ordered a presentence investigation to be conducted and will schedule sentencing for a future date.

On August 10, 2007, the Ohio Ethics Commission received a request from the offices of Ohio Auditor of State Mary Taylor, Clark County Prosecutor Stephen Schumacher, and Clark County Sheriff Gene Kelly to assist in an ongoing investigation of Hupp.  On August 29, 2007, the Auditor of State’s Chief Legal Counsel, James Manken, Ohio Ethics Commission Chief Investigative Attorney Paul M. Nick, and Ethics Commission Senior Investigative Attorney Julie M. Korte were appointed special prosecutors. 

On April 29, 2008, Hupp was indicted on 2 felony counts of Theft in Office, 3 felony counts of Having an Unlawful Interest in a Public Contract, 2 misdemeanor counts of Soliciting or Accepting Unlawful Supplemental Compensation, and 1 misdemeanor count of Conflict of Interest.  Hupp was accused of using public tax dollars and equipment to produce county data directories, accountability tags, and map books, sell them and then deposit the proceeds into a private business bank account which he established and controlled.  

According to a Special Audit issued by the Ohio Auditor of State in July 2008, Hupp used these profits on personal items such as college tuition payments, auto and home repair payments, wedding expenses, credit card bills, taxes and cash withdraws. 

The Ohio Ethics Commission was created thirty-five years ago, in 1973, when the Ethics Law was enacted.