ATHENS, Ohio (WSYX) -- A widening corruption scandal in Athens County is raising questions about how county resources were used and whether a county commissioner helped cover it up.
Officials say Jean Demosky, the executive director of Athens County Job and Family Services, lied about a nonprofit and called Athens County Community Cares Fund and used funds for her own benefit. New charging documents also allege County Commissioner Charlie Adkins was involved in the attempted cover-up.
As of Wednesday, Demosky is charged with three counts of theft in office, two counts of intimidation, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, telecommunications fraud and misuse of credit cards. The prosecutor's office told ABC 6 on Wednesday there is a motion in place to strike count one, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity.
Adkins is charged with one count of intimidation. Administrator and lead attorney Keith Wiens was appointed interim director Tuesday after commissioners voted unanimously to fire Demosky.
Prosecutors say that since 2022, Demosky used county resources, including staff and funding, to run a nonprofit that provided services to ineligible recipients, including a family member. Court documents say the nonprofit owes the county more than $50,000, and the total cost to taxpayers could exceed $1 million.
According to the criminal complaint, employees at Job and Family Services say they worked on developing the non-profit while employed and on the clock with JFS.
Staff members also were directed to "flex" their time and would be expected to take weekdays off at the agency to work for the non-profits events on weekends, burning taxpayer dollars on employee pay. Employees stated they spent the majority of their work day on developing and supporting the non-profit.
An employee emailed the Ohio Ethics Commission asking several questions about Demosky's involvement and discrepancies with the non-profit.
Another employee stated he wasn't being notified about funds being received by the non-profit and "would have to track down receipts and explanations regarding incoming and outgoing money for the nonprofit."
The case also came to light after a whistleblower in the office noticed discrepancies in funds and sent an anonymous letter to the county commissioners.
Court records say that is when the alleged cover-up involving Adkins began.
The criminal complaint states Demosky and Adkins began interrogating employees to determine who wrote the letter, according to the allegations. Staff also were threatened that their handwriting would be used for handwriting analysis.
The criminal complaint continues to describe an environment of intimidation by several employees, concerned, "there was nowhere else to go with these issues."
According to sources close to the commissioners office, Adkins would likely retain his position unless the prosecutor determines he is unfit to hold the position.
When ABC 6 asked for an interview with Job and Family Services, our request was denied and we were referred to the prosecutor's office.
The prosecutor's office declined an interview with ABC 6 because it is waiting for a judge to assign a special prosecutor to both cases.
When asked Wednesday about Adkins' involvement, none of the three county commissioners were in their offices. The auditor's office also turned away questions and referred inquiries to the prosecutor's office.
The Ohio attorney general is assigning a special prosecutor to Adkins' case after the prosecutor's office requested a new judge and prosecutor for both cases.
The allegations also are causing concern among local nonprofit leaders. Alex Nicol, who started the Love Light Movement in Athens County last year, said the organization serves more than 400 meals a week entirely through donations, and that the corruption accusations involving Job and Family Services affect all nonprofits.
"It's definitely a shame," Nicol said. "When events like these happen, it deters people from supporting other nonprofits. These events just reinforce the fact that smaller nonprofits that are volunteer-based are very important. They're affecting more people than they think when acting unethically. They're also affecting that ripple effect of the love and the connection throughout the community because you're building a distrust. There needs to be trust, love, and understanding between everyone."
Demosky was arraigned Friday in Athens County, where a judge set bond at $500,000. Court records state she must surrender her passport and is barred from accessing work systems while the case remains under investigation.
Demosky is scheduled to be back in court Thursday.