MARION, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—Three members of the Marion City Council have filed affidavits with the Ohio State Auditor’s Office seeking the removal of Marion City Auditor Miranda Meginness, citing what they describe as serious failures in the performance of her official duties.
Council members Shawn Barr, Twila Laing, and Ralph Smith submitted the affidavits on January 15 to the Auditor of the State of Ohio. In the documents, the council members allege that Meginness purposely, knowingly, or recklessly failed to fulfill her fiscal responsibilities and engaged in actions prohibited under the Ohio Revised Code. Marion County Now received confirmation regarding the affidavits from Marion Mayor Bill Collins.
According to the affidavits, Meginness is accused of failing to maintain complete and accurate financial records, a lapse that has reportedly prevented the city from undergoing required annual audits since 2021. The filings also allege that she did not make timely payments for federal and state taxes or required retirement contributions, resulting in penalties, fines, and interest charges for the city.
The council members further allege mismanagement of city funds, including the unauthorized disbursement of public money and a failure to provide proper accounting for certain payments. These actions, they claim, contributed to financial instability for the city and could expose Meginness to personal liability.
Additional allegations outlined in the affidavits include claims that Meginness concealed payments and falsified financial records to avoid detection. The council members state that these actions hindered City Council’s ability to pass necessary legislation and had significant financial consequences for Marion.
Among the impacts cited are the loss of the city’s bond rating and delays in critical infrastructure projects, including plans for a new fire station.
Overall, the affidavits underscore a pattern of fiscal mismanagement and potential legal violations prompting concern from the council members regarding the financial oversight of the City of Marion.
Meginness was sworn in as Marion City Auditor on November 29, 2021. She went on to run as an Independent and won election in 2023. In December of 2023, Meginness announced that she had taken on a new role in the city but then on January 4, 2024, she rescinded her resignation.
Marion County Now reached out Ms. Meginness for comment but she did not return our request. Mayor Collins provided this comment:
“Affidavits from three city council members have been sent to the State Auditor for a review to see if evidence is present to support a removal. They have 30 days to respond to the Attorney General and then they have 10 days to respond.”—Marion Mayor Bill Colllins
Marion County Now will continue to follow this developing news story.