County auditor admits to bank fraud

HAMILTON, OHIO (CN) — Butler County Auditor Mary C. "Kay" Rogers faces up to 33 years in prison after pleading guilty to federal charges of bank fraud and tax fraud. Prosecutors say Rogers conspired with three others to persuade National City Bank to loan $4 million to a company identified only as DC, and failed to report "income" she got from that company.
"Relying in part on her false representations, National City paid the company $4 million on Dec. 31, 2004," U.S. Attorney Gregory Lockhart said. "Rogers also signed various documents that purported to commit Butler County to making various obligations. In signing those documents, Rogers knew she exceeded her authority as the county auditor. Others used the documents to help induce payments from National City."
In an interesting sidelight, Rogers previously had sued the Journal News, claiming it defamed in stories that accused her of "criminal unethical or grossly inappropriate conduct." The newspaper stories accused her of reducing property tax valuations for friends in rich neighborhoods, at the expense of middle-class homeowners.
The criminal charges to which Rogers pleaded guilty stem from an FBI investigation into a 2005 contract between Butler County and Dynus Technologies, a technology firm that was hired to market a high-speed fiber optic network on the county's behalf.
Rogers had been Butler County's auditor since 1994. She resigned upon pleading guilty Monday. A sentencing date has not been set.

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