Executive director of Athens County JFS charged with theft in office

On April 3, Executive Director of Athens County Job and Family Services, Jean Demosky, was charged and arrested on one count of theft in office, a felony of the third degree.

The investigation was conducted by the Athens County Prosecutor’s Office with the cooperation of Athens County Sheriff Rodney Smith’s Office, Auditor Jill Davidson’s Office, information provided by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Service audit and information provided by 2025 Athens County audit team.

The case remains under investigation, and additional charges are possible. 

Demosky is accused of creating a shill nonprofit using county resources, staff, buildings, equipment and funding to provide goods to ineligible recipients including her own family member. The goods and services were allegedly not paid in full by the nonprofit. Demosky served as the president of the nonprofit and executive director of Athens County Job and Family Services at the same time.  

It is alleged the outstanding bill from ODJFS for the nonprofit’s unpaid debt is in excess of $50,000, and the expense of county staffing doing work for the nonprofit is in excess of $1 million.