CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — The Ross County Sheriff’s Office is under fire for what critics describe as the misuse of taxpayer funds to influence an upcoming election, following an investigation into an audio recording allegedly capturing Sheriff George Lavender using a racial slur. The investigation, led by the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office, has now raised questions about the authenticity of the recording, despite no clear evidence of criminal wrongdoing.
Sheriff Lavender, who is seeking re-election this fall, has denied that he is the person speaking in the recording. The Scioto Valley Guardian, which first reported on the recording in June, has maintained the recording’s authenticity, citing an analysis by a digital forensic expert. Despite this, the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office, at Lavender’s request, initiated an investigation and is now seeking grand jury subpoenas to further probe the recording’s origins. On Friday, a detective from Lorain County informed the Guardian that they wished to speak to employees of the news organization for a “criminal investigation.”
Critics, including press advocates and legal experts, have expressed concern that the investigation is less about uncovering the truth and more about intimidating political opponents and the media. They argue that if Sheriff Lavender believes he has been wronged, he should pursue a civil lawsuit rather than using public funds for what they describe as a politically motivated investigation.
“This is a clear misuse of taxpayer dollars,” said a spokesperson for the Scioto Valley Guardian. “The Sheriff is using his office to meddle in an election, trying to clear his name in the court of public opinion rather than in a court of law. We will not be intimidated by these tactics. Have they not learned from Pike County’s illegal arrest and the debacle that was New Holland? We know our rights and we strongly recommend the Sheriff stop before he is tanked.”
The Guardian’s legal team responded swiftly to news of potential grand jury subpoenas, asserting the rights of journalists under Ohio’s shield law. In a strongly worded letter addressed to Captain Daniel Ashdown of the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office, the attorneys emphasized, “This letter serves as our formal response to the article and as a notice that we will not tolerate any violations of press freedom if such steps are pursued by your respective agency.”
The letter further outlined the critical importance of press freedoms in an American society, stating, “The ability of journalists to report on matters of public interest without fear of retribution or legal intimidation is crucial for a functioning democracy. We respectfully urge your office to recognize these established legal protections for journalists and refrain from pursuing any actions that would compel our reporters to testify or disclose confidential information in this matter.”
Legal representatives for the Guardian made it clear that they are prepared to defend these rights in court if necessary. “We stand ready to defend our rights and ensure that the protections afforded to journalists are fully respected and enforced,” the letter concluded.
The ongoing investigation and the controversy surrounding it have added another layer of tension to the already heated sheriff’s race.