Ex-Deputy Elections Director Ridgeway sentenced in forgery case

Miami County’s former Deputy Elections Director Ian Ridgeway was sentenced Jan. 11 to up to five years of community control for felony forgery of an invoice for election supplies.

Ridgeway, 30, of West Milton was sentenced in Miami County Common Pleas Court on the fifth-degree felony charge by Judge Jeannine Pratt. He pleaded guilty in November.

"Mr. Ridgeway ... You were in a position of public trust as deputy director. You breached that trust by altering an invoice,” Pratt said.

The case was investigated by the county Sheriff’s Office. It focused on a document submitted to the county auditor’s office in July as an invoice that appeared to be altered “as it was completely different from any other invoice from that company,” the investigation report said.

The “invoice” was for items purchased from a local business in the spring. A business representative told investigators the “invoice” did not come from the business. A subsequent evaluation of Ridgeway’s computer showed efforts to convert documents, with copies of both the original and fraudulent invoices found in files, the report said.

Investigators said they were told by elections Director Laura Bruns that late payment of bills had been an ongoing problem with Ridgeway.

Defense lawyer Jeremy Tomb said Ridgeway never intended harm and, at the time, was “fearful of losing his job.”

"I do understand that what I did was not proper. I do take full responsibility for those actions. I do recognize those actions were wrong ... I am glad to move forward," Ridgeway said.

He was placed on paid administrative leave by the elections board in early August after election leaders were notified the investigation was being initiated in response to a complaint of questionable procurement practices. Ridgeway handled that function.

He was employed as deputy director from fall 2018 until late October when he and the board of elections signed a separation agreement that included Ridgeway’s resignation effective Oct. 13.

Pratt said Ridgeway had no prior criminal record. He was ordered to serve the community control with conditions he pay a $500 fine and court costs, maintain full-time employment and complete 200 hours of community service.