DAYTON, Ohio — A Montgomery County judge has removed Miami Township’s fiscal officer from office after he attempted to invest nearly $10 million in township funds into gold coins, according to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost.
Visiting Judge Jonathan P. Hein ruled that Robert Matthews violated state law and township policy in March 2025 when he withdrew $9.7 million from a township investment account without approval from township trustees. The ruling followed a one-day trial held earlier this month.
According to the state, Matthews planned to use the funds to purchase gold coins — a move that would have cost the township more than $380,000 in transaction fees and an additional $32,000 annually for storage.
The transaction was ultimately stopped after the township’s finance director was alerted by a bank and intervened, preventing the purchase, according to officials.
“He overstepped his authority by a mile, playing King Midas with money that didn’t belong to him,” Yost said. “Miami Township deserves dependable elected officials who operate within the bounds of the law.”
Under Ohio law, township fiscal officers are limited to administrative responsibilities such as maintaining financial records and documenting transactions and meetings. The law also requires that township funds cannot be spent without the approval and signatures of at least two trustees, with the fiscal officer serving in a countersigning role.
Court records show Matthews was temporarily suspended from his duties in October 2025 after the attorney general’s office sought his removal.
With Wednesday’s ruling, Matthews has been permanently removed from office and is barred from holding public office for four years. Township officials can now move forward with appointing a replacement.
Officials say the case was pursued under the Fiscal Integrity Act, a law designed to remove fiscal officers accused of reckless conduct.