In The News 24 December 2025

Former Nelsonville clerk sentenced to five years of community control

COLUMBUS — A former Nelsonville clerk was sentenced to five years of community control after admitting to three criminal counts in the theft of city funds.

Jessica Mount also was ordered to pay $11,306 in restitution to the city and have no contact with government or nonprofit accounts, among other sentencing terms handed down in Athens County Common Pleas Court on Dec. 15.

The Auditor of State’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) received a complaint in April 2023 alleging the potential theft of city funds by Mount, who served as clerk for the Nelsonville Police Department and Mayor’s Court from November 2021 through December 2022.

SIU identified receipts for more than two dozen cash payments through the Nelsonville Mayor’s Court that were signed by Mount but not deposited into a city bank account.

Mount was indicted in June 2025 on a felony count of theft in office and misdemeanor counts of soliciting improper compensation and dereliction of duty. She pleaded guilty to all three charges earlier this month.

Since 2019, the Special Investigations Unit has assisted in 153 convictions resulting in more than $16 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).

••• Publisher's note: A free press is critical to having well-informed voters and citizens. While some news organizations opt for paid websites or costly paywalls, The Highland County Press has maintained a free newspaper and website for the last 26 years for our community. If you would like to contribute to this service – and want it to continue – it would be greatly appreciated. Donations to help offset ever-rising expenses may be made to: The Highland County Press, P.O. Box 849, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133. Please include "for website" on the memo line.

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