The Guardian has uncovered the criminal record of the incoming New Holland Mayor, which has the local board of elections and the state’s Secretary of State scrambling.
Amy L. Hupp, 37, of New Holland, was the sole-person to place her name on the November 2019 ballot to run for the position of Mayor of New Holland. Current Mayor Clair “Butch” Betzko — whose administration has been plagued with scandals and allegations of corruption — did not seek re-election. Hupp is currently a village council member, appointed by the current mayor earlier this year. With Hupp being the only person to put her name in for the position of Mayor, she wins by default by voting for herself.
However, the Guardian has uncovered numerous criminal convictions on Hupp’s record, including felony charges that were dismissed as part of a plea deal.
Hupp — whose used to go by the name Amy Weaver — was convicted in 2001 in Franklin County after being charged with two counts of theft and two counts of felony forgery. Hupp stole more than $300 from Fashion Bug, a now defunct women’s clothing store. When indicted, Hupp spent two nights in jail. As part of a plea deal, the two felony charges were thrown out for a suspended sentence of three months in jail in exchange for a guilty plea on the two theft charges.
In 2012, Hupp tried to have the theft charges expunged from her record, but a Franklin County Judge denied the request after Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien’s office objected to Hupp’s motion. In the objection, the prosecutor said Hupp was not a “first time offender,” as required by law in order to have charges sealed off her record.
The prosecution was referring to numerous other charges on Hupp’s record, including a first degree misdemeanor conviction of inducing panic in Pickaway County.
Hupp also served six days in jail in 2001 for pleading guilty to making false alarms, also a first degree misdemeanor.
A complaint has been filed by a voter with the Pickaway County Board of Elections to have them investigate whether Hupp can be on the November ballot.
The Village’s insurance company is reportedly looking into if Hupp can be legally bonded and insured to hold the position of mayor, or even her council seat.
Attempts to reach Hupp for comment were not successful.