Judge Coss appoints second special prosecutor in case against Hillsboro Mayor Hastings
The Highland County Press
A second special prosecutor has been appointed in the investigation and possible prosecution of “alleged criminal offenses involving matters relating to Drew Hastings, mayor of the city of Hillsboro.”
Highland County Common Pleas Court Judge Rocky Coss has appointed Julia Korte, Chief Investigative Attorney for the Ohio Ethics Commission, as an assistant to special prosecutor Robert F. Smith.
Judge Coss announced Jan. 14 that he had appointed Smith, who is Deputy Legal Counsel for the Auditor of State, as a special prosecuting attorney.
“I had intended to appoint Ms. Korte when Robert Smith was appointed but had to wait until the Ohio Ethics Commission reviewed the proposed appointment at its meeting last Friday,” Judge Coss said. “As with Mr. Smith’s appointment, since there could be matters regarding this investigation coming before me as judge, I cannot comment further.”
The court entry appointing Korte states that “the Court has determined that appointment of an additional special assistant [prosecutor] to assist Mr. Smith is appropriate in this matter.”
"It is the order of the Court that Julia Korte, Chief Investigative Attorney for the Ohio Ethics Commission, is hereby appointed as Additional Special Assistant Prosecuting Attorney with regard to the investigation and any possible prosecution of any criminal cases regarding matters involving Drew Hastings as well as other persons who may be alleged to have committed criminal offenses in connection with those matters for which this appointment has been made," the entry states.
The additional Special Assistant Prosecuting Attorney (aka Special Assistant Prosecutor) shall have all of the authority, powers and immunities granted by law to the Highland County Prosecuting Attorney with regard to the investigation into alleged criminal conduct and the prosecution of persons for criminal offenses alleged to have been committed within this county. This appointment shall be effective immediately upon the filing of this entry with the Clerk of Courts, the court entry states.
[[In-content Ad]]According to a Dec. 16, 2015 search warrant signed by Judge Rocky Coss and executed on the Hillsboro City Building, there was probable cause to believe that in the city of Hillsboro the following criminal offenses have occurred:
• Forgery, in violation of 2913.31 of the Ohio Revised Code; and,
• Theft in office in violation of 2921.41 of the Ohio Revised Code.
On Dec. 22, 2015, Highland County Prosecutor Anneka Collins told The Highland County Press that she has requested a special prosecutor from DeWine’s office, saying “an attorney that specializes in this type of law needs to be involved.”
Criminal charges were filed on Hastings on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016.