(10-29-22) Wapakoneta Mayor Tom Stinebaugh was convicted on one count of having an unlawful interest in a public contract, a fourth-degree felony; theft in office, downgraded from a third- to a fifth-degree felony and three counts of conflict of interest.

An Auglaize County jury deliberated for more than eight hours over the past two days returning guilty verdicts on five of 11 charges brought against Stinebaugh by the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.

Visiting Judge Patricia Cosgrove sentenced Stinebaugh to one year in prison on the theft in office charge and six months in the county jail on each of the three misdemeanor conflict of interest convictions. The sentences were ordered to be served concurrently, leaving the former mayor with an 18-month prison term.

Stinebaugh remains free on bond after defense attorneys announced they would appeal the verdict and the sentence.

Stinebaugh was suspended after his indictment in August of 2021 from his duties as mayor by a three-judge panel appointed by Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor.

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