Headlines 22 May 2026

Former COTA employee ordered to pay restitution of $13,611

COLUMBUS — A former payroll administrator for the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) was ordered to pay restitution of $13,611 after an investigation into manipulated payroll submissions.

Ashanti Powell also received 60 months of community control after she pleaded guilty to a felony count of telecommunications fraud in Franklin County Common Pleas Court.

The Auditor of State’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) launched an investigation after auditors flagged potential payroll fraud at COTA, after a former employee received a federal tax form for earnings in 2022, though he retired in 2019.

SIU determined that Powell had entered work hours for two former COTA employees and modified their direct deposit information so that the funds would be deposited into her own account.

SIU also identified other personal payroll discrepancies involving Powell, including unapproved pay rates and unapproved vacation sell backs.

Powell was indicted in August 2025 on three felony counts, including theft in office and tampering with records. She pleaded guilty and was sentenced on Monday.

Powell will face 36 months in prison if she violates any of the terms of her community control.

Since 2019, the Special Investigations Unit has assisted in 163 convictions resulting in more than $17.8 million in restitution (see Map of SIU Convictions since January 2019). The team receives hundreds of tips of suspected fraud annually. Tips can be submitted anonymously online or via SIU’s fraud hotline at 866-FRAUD-OH (866-372-8364).

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