BELLBROOK — Bellbrook-Sugarcreek’s Superintendent, Doug Cozad, rejected the state auditor’s recommendation for him to plead guilty to four of the eight charges he faces, his attorney confirmed.
In addition, the state auditor recommended that Cozad pay more than $60,000 in restitution.
This comes after prosecutors said Cozad, along with two current and two former schoolboard members broke the law in how they handled parts of a 2019 levy campaign.
His attorney, Jim Fleisher, confirmed with News Center 7 on Tuesday that he rejected the state auditor’s office’s recommendation.
Fleisher stated that he believes Cozad has not committed any violations of the criminal laws.
“He’s a long-standing law-abiding, decent individual, a good public servant, and he’s done everything that he can in good faith with the interests of the school district in mind, only. He’s not benefitted personally. There’s no allegations of any theft or true wrongdoing,” Fleisher said.
The state auditor thinks otherwise. According to court records, Cozad and board members used tax payer money to promote a levy, and after it failed, the investigator said Cozad authorized more than $37,000 to hire a consulting firm to help with public communication and messaging.
Additionally, around the same time, the district used a research company to do a phone survey with registered voters.
It says Cozad reviewed and approved the survey questions and $15,000 the district paid the company.
“What the state has alleged that he’s done, is basically what every superintendent in the state of Ohio has done over the years. They’ve retained Allerton Hill and Fallon Research, who are well known, well established educational consultants, and those consultants are trained to ensure compliance with Ohio’s laws,” Fleisher said.
Fleisher said his counter offer is to dismiss all charges, but if the state auditor’s office doesn’t go for it, he is prepared to defend his client at trial.
“Doctor Cozad, as I said earlier, has acted in good faith at every turn in an effort to do the best that he can for the school district that he serves, the parents, and the students, and we’re not dealing with someone who’s committed any criminal acts, or who deserves criminal penalties and the potential loss of his profession, which is what’s at stake here,” Fleisher said.
News Center 7 reached out to the state auditor’s office for comment. The office responded, saying it would not discuss ongoing work.