Another 25 people took part in the scheme, according to Prosecutor Mat Heck, but are eligible for a diversion program if they pay restitution.
“We do expect additional indictments and charges to be approved in this investigation,” Heck said, noting the investigation is ongoing in cooperation with Dayton police, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Secret Service.
As executive secretary of the city’s law department, Turner was given authority in 2009 to sign approval of legitimate “moral obligation” claims against the city for $2,500 or less. This is money the city has set aside to pay for things such as minor property damage caused by city workers.
Turner allegedly created false claims against the city in her friends’ names, signed approval for them and “everyone would then share in the proceeds,” Heck said.
“These were all bogus claims,” he said.
Turner was fired in December 2013 shortly after another city employee reported suspicion that a check was cut to someone who was a friend of Turner’s.
Turner made $26.07 an hour before she was fired. She reported directly to city law director John Danish, according to her personnel file. Her 127-page file shows she was hired full-time in 1998 and received positive performance reviews as she worked her way up within the city.
The Dayton Daily News acquired a spreadsheet of moral obligation claims paid by the city. It shows there were between 104 and 162 claims each year between 2009 and 2013, mostly for property damage. The total amount paid out for those years was $568,410 with payouts reaching a high of $230,242 in 2012.
Turner’s was the only signature needed for claims of less than $2,500.
“This betrayal by a public employee is extremely disappointing to me,” Dayton City Manager Tim Riordan said in a statement.
City officials said they put new procedures in place this year. Now, every payment from the law department has to have at least two signatures. The payments are then compiled into a monthly report that is reviewed by the city finance department and the city manager.
Turner, 39, of Dayton was charged on 143 counts of tampering with government records, one count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity and one count of theft in office.
Three people were charged with engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, grand theft and complicity to commit grand theft. They were Shannon Richards, 39, of Beavercreek; Shareka Gibson, 29, of Trotwood; and Marlon Crawford, 42, of Dayton.
Four more people were charged with felony theft. They were Damon Ball II, 28, of Dayton; Essence Campbell, 34, of Clayton; Gregory Gibson, 27, of Dayton; and Jamie Van Winkle, 29, of Dayton.
Joshua Thomas, 29, of Dayton, was charged with grand theft.
The names of the other 25 accomplices were not released Thursday.
Turner was the only person involved who worked for the city of Dayton, officials said.
“(Turner) violated the public’s trust and stole money not only from the city of Dayton, but every resident of Dayton,” Heck said.
Kyle Nagel contributed to this report.
About the Author
