WAYNESVILLE — A judge dismissed theft charges against a father and daughter working for a local school district.
This is a story News Center 7 first reported on in October.
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Ron James still describes himself as “a Waynesville kid,” and says he loves his community. He served as Wayne Local School District’s treasurer for 25 years. It’s a job he left in 2022.
This past October, a Warren County grand jury indicted James on three felonies.
“(It was) devastating,” James said. “To me personally and to my daughter.”
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Ron and his daughter, Jenae were charged together in connection with a theft in office case. Jenae teaches elementary school within the Wayne Local School District. The district put her on leave after the indictment.
Two weeks ago, the Jameses faced a bench trial. That’s where the judge decides the verdict instead of a jury.
On day two of the trial, as soon as the state rested its case, the defense asked the judge to consider dismissing the case.
Warren County Common Pleas Court Judge Timothy Tepe’s decision was swift and strongly worded.
“There was no theft that occurred,” Judge Tepe said at one point of a four-minute monologue from the bench delivering his decision.
“The court is certainly in favor of eliminating government waste,” Judge Tepe said. “But this last day and a half has been a waste. That’s my rule. Rule 29 granted as to all counts. This case is dismissed.”
As shown on News Center 7 at 5:30, you could hear Jenae James’ reaction in the court video. Something she described as “complete relief.”
“I was purely overjoyed in the moment,” Jenae said. “And that feeling of vindication is – it means everything to me, and my father, and my family.”
News Center 7 reached out to Warren County Prosecutor David Fornshell for comment.
“Obviously, the court viewed the evidence differently than what the state auditor’s office did and what our office did,” Fornshell said in an emailed statement. “But that happens sometimes. That’s our justice system…. We respect the court’s decision.”
Ron says after the acquittal, his healing process isn’t finished, but he’s relieved. “Let’s move forward,” Ron said. “I love this town.”
He says the feeling of having the criminal case behind him “awesome.”
“I have a new life,” Ron said. “You know, in terms of I can now live again and not think about it. And I hope that I’ll be able to serve kids in this area in some fashion. That’s my goal.”
News Center 7 also reached out to the Wayne Local School District for this report.
“We have been notified that the case involving Janae James has been dismissed,” Neej Mescher, Wayne Local School District Communications Coordinator said in an emailed statement. “In light of this development, she is expected to return to Wayne Local Schools in the fall.”
Jenae James told News Center 7 she is “excited and looking forward to returning to the classroom, to teaching, and to coaching my athletes, and helping young minds grow.”
This case started as an investigation by Ohio Auditor of State Keith Faber’s office. News Center 7 reached out to Faber’s office for comment.
“Our Special Investigations Unit releases a special audit once a case is completed,” Ohio Auditor of State Public Affairs spokesperson Marc Kovac said in an email. “Until that report is completed, our investigation is ongoing, so we have no further comment at this time.”
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