Athens County woman purchased helicopter tour, concert tickets, in theft of over $2.8 million
ATHENS, Ohio (WCMH) – An Athens County woman arrested and convicted of theft of public resources has been ordered to pay back over $2.8 million.
According to the Auditor of State’s Office, Jodi Rickard pleaded guilty in June 2023 to seven felony counts, including engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, theft in office, aggravated theft, telecommunications fraud, tampering with evidence, and tampering with records.
The finding against Rickard, the former executive director of the Athens Metropolitan Housing Authority, included $2,325,395.12 in restitution earlier ordered by Athens County Common Pleas Court, plus an additional $529,850 identified by the Auditor of State’s Special Investigations Unit.
The crimes occurred between the fiscal years of 2008 and 2023, and an investigation was launched after state auditors faced numerous delays in attempting to review the Housing Authority.
In December 2022, search warrants were executed at the agency and determined that more than $2.3 million was taken from the agency’s accounts and used by Rickard for personal gain.
Documents state that Rickard, of Albany, made over 5,500 online shopping orders, including Amazon, Walmart and Apple. She also had other significant expenditures, including travel and airfare expenditures in excess of $250,000. Those expenses also included trips to Disney World, a $4,000 helicopter tour in Hawaii and a Sandals Resort Vacation in the Bahamas.
Home-improvement expenses for Rickard included a $73,000 heated, in-ground swimming pool, a carport, flagpole, concert tickets totaling over $28,000, and a mobile trailer.
Rickard, who was indicted in February 2023, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 8-to-12 years in prison. To date, however, only $507,296.63 of the court-ordered restitution has been paid.
She will be eligible for judicial release after five years in prison.