CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — A Sheriff in Ross County is continuing to retaliate in an effort to win re-election, according to those who want to see change.
As previously reported by the Guardian, Isaac Oberer, a deputy within the Sheriff’s office filed to run for Sheriff against his boss in March and was fired by incumbent Sheriff George Lavender. Since then, the race has been filled with ups-and-downs. The Sheriff, through a surrogate challenged Oberer’s petition to run, alleging the candidate was not qualified; that ended before it really began after the Secretary of State stepped in and told the local Board of Elections that the action was premature. Then there was “The Chillicothe Chicken” that stood along Bridge Street holding a sign with the Sheriff’s face next to a cock saying, “George Lavender is a Chicken #LetHimRun.” It was an apparent jab at Lavender’s attempt to have Oberer removed from the ballot. And, of course, this week, the Guardian reported allegations that the Sheriff was meddling in the retirement of Oberer and delaying state paperwork in order to cause chaos and headache for the former deputy.
Now, new allegations have surfaced; this time, where Sheriff Lavender is accused of retaliating against a longtime Sheriff’s office employee who signed the nominating petition of Oberer. The nearly 20-year employee — who the Guardian is not naming because the news organization has not been able to make contact with them for an interview — was suspended for three days without pay. It came down after Lavender and his supporters scoured Oberer’s petition for possible errors to get him tossed from the ballot. The employee’s file shows that they were given the suspension for “political reasons” and that they could have faced termination. The suspension has since been served and the employee has returned to work.
Ohio Administrative Rule 3349-8-70 reads, “The following are examples of permissible activities for … employees: …. Circulation of nonpartisan petitions or petitions stating views on legislation; Signing nominating petitions in support of individuals;….“. Oberer is running as an Independent.
Sheriff Lavender did not respond to a request seeking comment for this story.
The suspension adds another layer to an already contentious campaign as voters wait for Election Day in November.