Vanderhorst was indicted on a third-degree felony for theft in office, meaning the value of property or services allegedly stolen is more than $7,500 and less than $150,000.
The auditor’s office did not reveal the specific amount missing, citing the ongoing investigation of the theft, but said that money allegedly was stolen from an account funded by fees charged for real estate transactions and not public tax dollars.
“Vanderhorst appears to have used his intimate knowledge, tenure, and trust to steal from our office,” Clark County Auditor John Federer said.
First joining the Clark County Auditor’s Office in 1991, Vanderhorst was fired Jan. 12 after the Clark County Auditor’s Office learned of the allegations.
“The indictment...represents a shocking betrayal of every Clark County citizen and every employee of my office,” Federer said.
According to the auditor’s office, an employee in October 2021 noticed inappropriate vendor payouts in the financial management system.
State investigators visited the auditor’s office and Vanderhorst’s home last month to collect evidence.
“Theft in Office is not something our office takes lightly,” said Ohio Auditor Keith Faber. “Last year our office was involved with nine Theft in Office convictions and we will continue to raise the red flag against public officials abusing public trust.”
Faber’s Special Investigations Unit is conducting a forensic audit and criminal investigation in conjunction with Clark County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Driscoll. The investigation is ongoing.
“Robert is cooperating fully with the investigation to make sure the county has the full picture,” said Jon Rion, the attorney representing Vanderhorst.
Rion’s office confirmed that Vanderhorst is expected to appear in court on Friday morning in Clark County for his arraignment.
Federer said his office is implementing policies and procedures to prevent fraud: reinforcement of checks and balances with check writing, training measures “so that tenured employees cannot use that position as a weapon against other employees to perpetrate fraud,” and a new schedule for regularly confirming all vendors are registered with the county.
Federer created a website (www.clarkcountyfacts.com) with the help of a communications consulting firm that he said has been paid out of his own pocket to outline details about the alleged theft.
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