Former Executive Director and Former Board Member of Richland County Board of Mental Health and Addiction Services Indicted

Press Release •Ohio Auditor of State

COLUMBUS - The Richland County Grand Jury has returned indictments against the former executive director for the Richland County Board of Mental Health and Addiction Services (RCMH) and a former board member following an investigation into improper contracting.

Former Executive Director Joseph Trolian faces one felony count of having an unlawful interest in a public contract, three misdemeanor counts of having an unlawful interest in a public contract, and three misdemeanor counts of conflict of interest.

Former board member Jay Wachs faces two felony counts of having an unlawful interest in a public contract, two misdemeanor counts of having an unlawful interest in a public contract, and two misdemeanor counts of conflict of interest.

The indictments were posted on Monday in Richland County Common Pleas Court.

The Ohio Auditor of State's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) launched an investigation in October 2023 after receiving a complaint alleging Trolian and Wachs benefited financially from contracts for services for RCMH.

Trolian allegedly used his public position to secure a contract for training that he knew would benefit his wife, among other issues. Wachs allegedly used his public position to secure a contract that benefited himself and his company.

Since 2019, the Special Investigations Unit has assisted in 145 convictions resulting in more than $16 million in restitution (see Map of SIU Convictions since 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.

Public Affairs Contact: Marc Kovac [email protected]