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Ex-mayor of Darke County village repays nearly $39K after misused funds investigation

Selective focus on gavel hammer on wooden table top with copy space,Malaysia seng kui Lim / 500px /Getty Images (seng kui Lim / 500px/Getty Images/500px)
(seng kui Lim / 500px/Getty Images/500px)

VILLAGE OF ITHACA, Darke County — A former mayor in a Darke County village has repaid nearly $39,000 after an investigation into misused funds, according to Ohio Auditor of State Keith Faber.

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David Peterson was the Mayor of the Village of Ithaca, from Jan. 1, 2012, to April 20, 2020.

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During that time, he also served as fiscal officer for the village after firing the previous person. He remained in this position until Aug. 31, 2021, according to Faber.

The SIU opened an investigation in March 2022 after the Darke County Sheriff’s Office made them aware of the allegations against Peterson.

The investigation found that Peterson bought power equipment for his personal use with village funds, was overpaid more than $17,000 from improper calculations or compensation for both positions, and received reimbursement for supplies without supporting documents, according to Faber.

Peterson was indicted in January 2024 after the SIU and Darke County Sheriff’s Office presented their findings to the prosecutor’s office.

He took a plea deal and admitted to one count of theft in office, agreed to pay restitution, and complete a substance abuse and mental health intervention program, Faber said.

Peterson repaid approximately $38,845.46 by December 2024.

This payment included the full findings for recovery, court-ordered restitution, and additional funds identified by the Auditor of State’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU).

Following a complete payment of restitution, court costs, and supervision fees, the court agreed to consider a request to terminate Peterson’s case in lieu of conviction.

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