Ohio AG wants to keep gun records secret in Kelly case
Special Prosecuting Attorneys representing the state against Athens County Sheriff Pat Kelly filed a motion for a protective order for records related to concealed handgun licences, according to court documents filed Wednesday.
“It’s very common that when records of a certain type are entered into a court file, (and) the court file could be a public record, (that) these documents are not public record,” said Dan Tierney, spokesman for Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine’s office. “It’s just to make the court aware that (these) documents are not public record.”
According to court documents, more than 30,000 documents regarding concealed handgun licenses were provided to the defense counsel Monday.
Special Prosecuting Attorneys James Roberts and Melissa Schiffel filed the motion, pointing out that the Ohio Revised Code states that “the records that a sheriff keeps relative to the issuance, renewal, suspension or revocation of a concealed handgun license ... are confidential and are not public records.”
Documents state that the improper release of documents regarding concealed gun carry is a felony of the fifth degree, and request that the court require that the documents be produced in an electronic format only.
Schiffel also signed a court document stating that the prosecution would like to withhold the identification and recorded statement of a witness in the case because the prosecution has reason to believe that “disclosure will compromise the safety of the witness, victim or third party. ... Or a substantial risk of physical harm.”
Kelly, 63, faces a 25-count criminal indictment charging 23 felonies, including money laundering, theft in office and perjury.
Sheriff’s office no longer accepting cash
In the name of better bookkeeping, cash is no longer king for the Athens County Sheriff’s Office.
Those who are seeking a public records request, concealed carry application or renewal, a background check, real estate transaction or foreclosure or delinquent sales will have to use another method to pay.
Instead of cash, the Sheriff’s Office will be accepting checks, money orders, credit cards or cashier checks.
“It’s just procedural. Its easier for the staff,” Interim Sheriff Rodney Smith said. “(I) Don’t want to keep cash around — better bookkeeping for us.”
Despite the 13 counts against Sheriff Pat Kelly for theft in office, Smith said the policy was not instituted because of those indictments.
More difficulties for Athens Flower Shop
The Athens Flower Shop, owned by Athens City Council President Jim Sands, has been ordered to pay almost $2,500 because of unpaid taxes, court documents show.
The shop, located at 252 E. State St., has had “all accounts and assets” garnished, according to Franklin County court documents from March 31.
Tina Willis, the Athens deputy clerk of courts, said that the shop has to pay state tax lien because its taxes weren’t paid.
Sands also owes the state more than $30,000 for failing to comply with the state’s minimum wage standards law, according to a previous Post article.
By press time, it did not appear that the minimum wage and tax issues were connected.
Jim Sands was not available for comment by press time.
— Kelly Fisher, Lucas Daprile and Kelly Doran compiled this report.
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kf398711@ohiou.edu
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