“I have very strong feelings about DUI because I have seen what can happen,” said Attorney General Mike DeWine. “I’ve seen the tragedies. I’ve talked to the family members who have lost a loved one because someone was drinking and driving… I’ve done everything I can do to reduce DUI driving. It’s very serious.”
Schenck refused a Breathalyzer test, so his blood alcohol level is unknown, according to police records.
According to police, Schenck was “unsteady on his feet,” his eyes were bloodshot and glassy, and there was a strong odor of alcohol coming from his vehicle.
He entered a not guilty plea on the OVI charge on Tuesday.
An arraignment hearing scheduled for Friday for Schenck was canceled after his attorney, Ronald Keller of Cox, Keller & Lusardi in Xenia, filed his appearance with the court, according to court records.
Keller did not return a phone call seeking comment and Schenck could not be reached.
A motion to appoint a special prosecutor has been filed, according to court records.
Prior to working for the attorney general, Schenck served as chief trial counsel in the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office from 1977 to 1980 under DeWine.
The incident marks Schenck’s most recent traffic related run-in with law enforcement.
According to local court and Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicle records, the OVI citation was Schenck’s first one in Ohio. His previous convictions were for speeding in Madison County in 2012; Lima in 2008; and Fairbon in 2008 and 2006.
In Aug. 2006, three days after retiring from his position as the Greene County prosecutor, a position he held for more than 25 years, Schenck crashed a Greene County vehicle on a ramp from Ohio 235 to Interstate 675. At the time he was working as an assistant United States attorney and was on his way to the airport to catch a flight to conference in Orlando.
Schenck paid the county more than the $11,000 value of the vehicle, which was totaled in the crash, and paid $85 in court fines and costs.
Schenck was hired in the attorney general’s office in March this year, and works on major cases, such grand jury investigations or cases where a special prosecutor is called in, and advises the prosecution team.
In June, Schenck’s employment status changed from full-time to part-time for health-related reasons, according to the attorney general. Schenck earns $58.18 per hour.
“He has not been suspended or put on leave,” said Jill Del Greco, a spokeswoman for the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. “He is not working at this time.”
DeWine has not taken any action regarding Schenck at this time.
“Any disciplinary action will be taken pending the outcome of the criminal charges,” Del Greco said. “We’re waiting to see the outcome of the criminal case.”
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