<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4MzCC1_0viCrEQR00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4MzCC1_0viCrEQR00" width="1320" height="743" >COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — A formerHocking County commissioner will have to pay over $25,000 in restitution after a judge sentenced her for theft, telecommunications fraud, and soliciting or accepting improper compensation.Jessica Dicken resigned from the county commissioners after her indictment forfraudulent credit card purchases. TheAuditor of State’s Office said itsSpecial Investigations Unitlaunched an investigation after a complaint about fraudulent use of the Hocking County Agricultural Society’s credit card, which Dicken was secretary of at the time.Investigators foundmore than $19,000 in fraudulent credit card purchases. Some of the money went to finance her 2022 campaign for county commissioner. Other money was spent as part of vacations and other non-government purchases.A grand jury indicted her in September 2023, and she pleaded guilty in August 2024 as part of a plea agreement.She will now payrestitution totaling $25,090.69, including $14,417.02 to the Hocking County Agricultural Society, $4,667.17 to Vinton County National Bank, and $6,006.50 in audit costs, the Auditor of State's Office said. Dicken will alsocomplete 500 hours of community service and will be subject to community control for five years as part of her sentence.</div></body>

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Ex-Hocking County commissioner sentenced for theft, fraud

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — A formerHocking County commissioner will have to pay over $25,000 in restitution after a judge sentenced her for theft, telecommunications fraud, and soliciting or accepting improper compensation. Jessica Dicken resigned from the county commissioners after her indictment forfraudulent credit card purchases. TheAuditor of State’s Office...