Former Lake County Auditor’s Office Employee Pleads Guilty

Press Release • Ohio Auditor of State

COLUMBUS - A former employee of the Lake County Auditor's Office has pleaded guilty after an investigation determined she was paid for time off based on fraudulent medical excuses.

Colleen Insana admitted to a single felony count of theft in office Tuesday in Lake County Common Pleas Court. The judgment entry notes potential restitution and audit costs of about $9,800.

The Auditor of State's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) launched an investigation after receiving a complaint about the alleged crimes.

SIU identified multiple instances in which Insana submitted forged medical excuse documents, resulting in paid leave time of more than $5,500.

Sentencing will take place at a later date.

Since 2019, the Special Investigations Unit has assisted in 171 convictions resulting in more than $17.9 million in restitution (see Map of SIU Convictionssince January 2019). The team receives hundreds of tips of suspected fraud annually. Tips can be submitted anonymously online or via SIU's fraud hotline at 866-FRAUD-OH (866-372-8364).

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The Auditor of State's Office, one of five independently elected statewide offices in Ohio, is responsible for auditing more than 5,900 state and local government agencies. Under the direction of Auditor Keith Faber, the office also provides financial services to local governments, investigates and prevents fraud in public agencies, and promotes transparency in government.

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