Henderson, Steinke and Stinebaugh

(12-16-22) For the City of Wapakoneta 2022 has been a year of local elected officials and employee being charged with serious crimes committed…two have already been found guilty.

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Two of the three have been the mayor of Moon City…Tom Stinebaugh and Steve Henderson, while the third isformer Utilities employee Christine Steinke.

Both Henderson and Stinebaugh are Republicans.

While in office Stinebaugh’s case was making headlines in Ohio. Stinebaugh was indicted on eight counts of having an unlawful interest in a public contract, a felony of the fourth degree; eight counts of conflict of interest, a misdemeanor of the first degree; and one count of theft in office, a felony of the third degree.

Stinebaugh was sentenced to 18 months in prison and remains free on bond.

This week he was in court again and has filed an appeal in Ohio’s Third District Court of Appeals.

Henderson was next in line as Council President to take over the Mayor’s spot…Henderson would be charged with OVI on May 30th. The case was scheduled to start this past week, that is when Henderson asked for a change of plea hearing. Henderson withdrew his not guilty plea and entered a plea of no contest. Henderson was found guilty and was sentenced to 180 days suspended jail sentence at the Auglaize County Corrections Center and community control sanctions. Henderson completed a 72 hour alcohol intervention program and was fined $375, his drivers license has been suspended with limited driving privileges and has an alcohol ignition inter-lock device. 

Prior to the Wapakoneta City Council Meeting on Dec.5, 2022, Henderson was officially sworn in as Mayor of Wapakoneta.

Steinke’s case was also being heard this week, she is facing charges on 15 felony charges related to the theft of more than $150,000 from the City of Wapakoneta. Steinke is a former utility clerk in the Department.

Steinke took portions of customer payments to the department for her own personal use. Steinke resigned from her position in 2021 and states that customers did not suffer any direct losses.

She appeared in Auglaize County Common Pleas Court this past Wednesday where she entered her plea of not guilty to all counts. Her current recognizance bond was also stayed.