HOCKING COUNTY, Ohio — On Tuesday, September 24, Jessica Dicken, a former Hocking County Commissioner, was sentenced for her involvement in fraudulent credit card purchases. As part of her sentence, she paid over $25,000 in restitution and must complete 500 hours of community service. Additionally, she will be under community control for five years.
The Auditor of State’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) began investigating Dicken after receiving a complaint about her alleged misuse of the Hocking County Agricultural Society’s credit card while she served as the Society’s secretary. The investigation revealed that Dicken had made more than $19,000 in unauthorized purchases. These included expenses for her 2022 campaign for Hocking County Commissioner, a rental vehicle for a family vacation in Florida, and various other items.
Dicken was indicted by the Hocking County Grand Jury in September 2023. Following the indictment, she was suspended from her role as a commissioner and eventually resigned from her elected position.
In August 2024, Dicken pleaded guilty to felony charges of theft and telecommunications fraud, as well as a misdemeanor charge for soliciting or accepting improper compensation. As part of her plea agreement, she agreed to pay a total of $25,090.69 in restitution, which included $14,417.02 to the Hocking County Agricultural Society, $4,667.17 to Vinton County National Bank, and $6,006.50 in audit costs.
