Indictment issued on embezzlement case

On November 3, 2009, the Highland County Grand Jury issued an indictment against Dennis L. Butler, age 68, of Hillsboro.  The indictment was the result of an investigation by detectives with the Highland County Sheriff's

Office into allegations that Dennis Butler was embezzling money from a Concord Township church where he had been serving as treasurer for a number of years.

The specific counts of the indictment were one count of Theft, a felony of the third degree due to the dollar amount being over $100,000.00, and one count of Tampering with Records, a felony of the third degree.  The charges were the result of Mr. Butler using church money for personal gain or use, as well as Mr. Butler creating fictitious accounting records.  The funds in question total over $202,000.00, and involve a period of over five years.

During the time period of the theft, Mr. Butler was working as a local insurance and investment agent.  Part of the theft case involved misappropriation of funds from annuities owned by the church that Mr. Butler managed as an investment advisor.

Dennis L. Butler turned himself into the Sheriff's Office on November 4, 2009, and was arraigned in Highland County Common Pleas Court via video arraignment, where he was given a $10,000.00 bond.