MANSFIELD, OH—Former Crestline Fire Chief, Matthew Wells, who admitted to stealing from taxpayers, was sentenced to four years of probation with 60 days in jail by Richland County Common Pleas Court Judge Phil Naumoff on Monday.
Wells, 52, of Galion, pleaded guilty to tampering with records and theft in office in exchange for the dismissal of several other charges.
Judge Naumoff considered prison time for Wells, who had worked for the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, as well as the Springfield Township Fire Department and Pleasant Township Fire Department in Marion.
Special Prosecutor Matt Anger from the Ohio State Auditor’s Office asserted that Wells had improperly claimed work hours and used paid leave from one agency while working for another.
Wells was ordered to pay over $13,000 in restitution to the Ohio Department of Education and the State Auditor’s Office. Despite his guilty plea, there were concerns that Wells continued to work as the Crestline fire chief, which would violate his plea agreement.
Although Anger did not push for jail time, he requested a serious sentence for Wells. Judge Naumoff expressed disappointment in Wells’ actions, stating that he had violated the trust of many individuals.
Wells is scheduled to report to jail on August 9.