ATHENS COUNTY, Ohio — The Athens County Grand Jury handed down a seven-count indictment against the former executive director of the Athens Metropolitan Housing Authority (AMHA), Jodi Rickard, on Monday. Rickard is facing charges of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, theft in office, aggravated theft, telecommunications fraud, tampering with evidence, and tampering with records, among others.
According to the indictment filed in Athens County Common Pleas Court, Rickard is accused of pocketing over $1.5 million from the housing authority for her personal use. Athens County Prosecutor Keller J. Blackburn, who is heading the case, stated that Rickard violated the public trust and used the funds designated for helping people with housing for her extravagant lifestyle.
Auditor of State Keith Faber, who also spoke on the matter, stated that his office, along with the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), has a strong track record of ensuring justice is served when public officials lie, cheat, or steal from Ohio taxpayers. The investigation began after state auditors faced numerous delays in attempting to review AMHA’s financial records, leading to the execution of search warrants at the agency’s facilities in December 2022.
The SIU, in collaboration with agents from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Inspector General and the Athens County Prosecutor’s Office, determined that Rickard misused the agency’s funds between January 2015 and December 2022.
Rickard was arrested on Monday, and if convicted, she could face mandatory prison time.
