A Findlay woman must pay back more than $120,000 she stole from a state agency and spend time in jail.
Rochelle McCoy, 47, appeared Sept. 12 in the courtroom of Wood County Common Pleas Judge Matt Reger.
She was indicted in August 2022 for grand theft, a fourth-degree felony. She was also indicted for money laundering, three counts of tampering with records and two counts of identity fraud, which are all third-degree felonies.
McCoy pleaded guilty in July to grand theft, identity fraud and two counts of tampering with records. The remaining charges were dismissed.
Defense attorney Kati Tharp said her client has had very little contact with the criminal justice system.
“Granted, she made a dishonest mistake and a continuous mistake,” Tharp said. “She made a very poor decision and she’s paying the consequences for that.”
According to court documents, McCoy deprived Ohio Department of Job and Family Services funds totaling $120,742 from Feb. 8, 2020, to June 12, 2021.
She was ordered to make restitution of that amount.
Tharp said he client can pay $30 a month and while that’s a small amount, it shows McCoy is making an effort.
“She’s going to try to do everything she can to pay it back,” Tharp said.
Wood County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Brian Boos said the state had no idea where the money went.
McCoy withdrew the COVIC relief funds as soon as they were deposited into the accounts of two family members.
Boos said at the plea hearing that Ohio Rep. Haraz Ghanbari had reported receiving a message from McCoy that her COVID relief funds had been suspended. Another woman reported the same thing, but that it appeared to be McCoy’s voice, he said.
Boos said an investigation was started for possible COVID relief fraud.
Investigations showed McCoy and two family members had requested COVID relief funds, Boos said.
All three funds were directed into the same bank account, which was held by McCoy, and there is no evidence the other family members ever used the money.
She exploited pandemic relief to benefit herself, Boos said Tuesday.
“I’m truly sorry for what I’ve done. There’s no excuse for my actions,” McCoy said. “I’m extremely disappointed in myself.”
Reger imposed a sentence of five years of community control. She can have contact with her family members but have no financial relationship.
McCoy must make full restitution in five years, Reger said, with a minimum monthly rate of $30.
She also must spend 30 days in jail.
Reger gave her the opportunity, understanding her medical conditions, to start serving those days in the next 30 days.
