Officials addressed a recent court order, seeing that Trumbull County Auditor Martha Yoder has been ordered to pay $80,857.18 to the township after an employee at the office fell victim to a scam.

"It's not a surprise to us. We knew we were going to win this case." said Michael Hovis, speaking on behalf of all the trustees. 

Hovis has been calling on the Auditor's office to make things right since tax dollars the township was supposed to receive went missing last year.

"Auditor Yoder was required by law to distribute these funds to Bazetta Township in August of 2024, but instead deposited the money in a Green Dot bank account in California."

A scammer impersonated Bazetta Township's Fiscal Officer and asked in an email that the money be transferred to a new bank account.

"Evidence submitted to the court revealed that Auditor Yoder did not educate or train her employees about payment redirect or email compromise schemes."Hovis explained, reading court findings.

The scam took place after offices across the state, including the Trumbull County Auditor's Office, was notified of these red flags by the State Auditor.

"The very first meeting her and I had, I asked her what her policy was and they had no policy--to me, that's a failure." he stated.

Hovis tells 21 News the trustees never wanted to go to lengths of a lawsuit, but felt they had no other recourse.

The county auditor disagreed with the court's ruling and in a statement said she'll be seeking legal counsel in the very near future.

There is no definite timetable for when the money will return to the township, but an appeal by the Trumbull County Auditor could push that back.

In the meantime, township leaders are urging the county auditor to do what the court has ordered her to do.