She will be sentenced Oct. 2. Cannon will remain free on her own recognizance.
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The plea was outlined by defense lawyer Andrew Pratt, who said prosecutors indicated 10 counts each of theft in office and tampering with evidence could have been pursued without the plea. With the plea, prosecutors will recommend a community control sentence and will remain silent at sentencing. Cannon also agreed to pay $266.70 restitution.
Faulkner said the possible sentence was 240 months in prison and fines totaling $62,500. Cannon also will be permanently disqualified from holding public office.
County Prosecutor Tony Kendell, after the hearing, said he would decline comment until sentencing.
Sheriff Dave Duchak announced an investigation into allegations of public corruption at the agency in March. Days later, Cannon was fired by the Children’s Services Board. She had worked for the agency for more than 20 years.
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A search warrant filed by sheriff’s investigators said Children’s Services Board members triggered the investigation with a complaint about “questionable requests for reimbursement” and purchases by Cannon. Investigators placed a GPS device on Cannon’s personal vehicle after obtaining a court order.
Sheriff’s Detective Lt. Jason Moore said in an affidavit there were discrepancies between dates and times on mileage logs and door swipe activity of Cannon’s access card at the agency office at the Hobart Center for County Government in Troy.
Requests for reimbursement by Cannon for purchases made for families/clients of Children’s Services also were questioned. The purchases included fuel cards at Speedway stations using a personal credit card and/or Speedy Rewards cards along with other items from WalMart online and other businesses, again using a personal Discover credit card, Moore said.
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“Director Cannon did receive Speedy Rewards points on her personal card for those reimbursed purchases … Director Cannon did receive Cash Back amount on those purchases for her personal Discover card,” the affidavit said. “The monetary amounts of the Speedy Rewards points and Cash Back values could not be accurately evaluated.”
After the investigation was disclosed, the county commissioners sought more oversight for the agency, which was overseen by a five-member citizens board. The board agreed in April to recommend a merger with the county Job and Family Services Department.
The commissioners subsequently approved the merger, which became official July 17.
Cannon was paid $93,141 in 2018, according to the county auditor’s office. Some agency employees attended the hearing.
The visiting judge was appointed by the Ohio Supreme Court after a request by Cannon in June. Common Pleas Judge Stacy Wall signed a search warrant in the investigation. Common Pleas Judge Jeannine Pratt is married to defense lawyer Andrew Pratt.
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