Ex-Fire fighter treasurer indicted for grand theft

(The Center Square) – A firefighters association treasurer on Lake Erie’s shores faces three theft felony charges after being accused of stealing more than $60,000 from the department.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost on Thursday announced the indictment of Trevor Ross, 40, of Ottawa County, on three counts of grand theft, each of them a fourth-degree felony.

Ross was treasurer of the Danbury Township Fire Fighters Association, a group that supports the Danbury Township Fire Department.

The AG’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation found that Ross allegedly used the association’s credit card and checking account over six years to make personal purchases that were delivered to his home.

The indictment alleges the purchases were for boat equipment, firearms, collectibles and other things.

Yost’s announcement comes a day after State Auditor Keith Faber announced a finding for recovery of $5,605 against the former finance director of the Lima-Allen County Regional Planning Commission.

Brandon Casler was convicted of misusing a commission credit card for personal gain, and the recovery total is the same as the court-ordered restitution against Casler.

Casler pleaded guilty in February to a felony count of theft in office and two misdemeanor counts of misuse of credit cards after it was determined he used a commission credit card for personal purchases, including food and daycare services, in December 2022 and April and May 2023.

He was sentenced in April to two years of community control and 200 hours of community service, with suspended terms of incarceration. He’s also barred from serving in public office.