WARREN, Ohio - Warren Seventh Ward City Councilman Ron White Sr. is calling a theft in office charge filed against him a racially motivated “witch hunt”.

White is named in a complaint filed in municipal court alleging that he used a city-owned printer for his re-election campaign flyers last April and May.

The complaint alleges that the councilman’s use of the printer for personal reasons violates state law.

The charge is a fifth-degree felony.

White appeared in Warren Municipal Court Tuesday afternoon, where his attorney entered a not guilty plea on White's behalf. 

"I doubt if there's anyone that can say did not take a pencil home, a pen wound up in their purse, a note pad was used for a grocery list, but there has to be more to this than what meets common sense," Gilbert Rucker said, White's attorney.

Rucker told the judge that White is dedicated public servant.

"Councilman White has served this community for a long time, people who know him, know his concern for the community and he's an individual that stands for what he believes," he said.

Some members of city council decline or were not ready to make a comment.

Councilman of the fifth Ward Ken MacPherson believes the charge is a retribution of White not agreeing to past projects supported by other city leaders.

"It's petty," MacPherson said. "The man works for the people. He delivers. He's in more meetings than I am. He's on the street fixing potholes, sidewalks."

White's bond was set at $5,000. A preliminary hearing will be scheduled at a later date.