The U.S. Supreme Court has denied former Dover Mayor Richard Homrighausen’s petition for an appeal of his criminal conviction for theft in office from 2022.
The court announced the decision Monday. A jury more than two years ago found Homrighausen guilty of one felony – theft in office, and five misdemeanors, including soliciting improper compensation and dereliction of duty.
The charges stemmed from Homrighausen accepting payments for performing weddings. The Ohio Auditor’s Office pursued the case, saying Homrighausen pocketed the money when he should have given it to the city. Homrighausen’s lawyers argued it was an accepted practice for 28 years that no one objected to until his political rivals made it an issue in 2020.
Homrighausen unsuccessfully appealed to the Fifth District Court of Appeals, Ohio Supreme Court and now the U.S. Supreme Court. His punishment is over 19-thousand dollars in fines, costs and restitution to the city of Dover. Homrighausen is also barred from holding public office.
He had to give up the mayor’s post when he was convicted in November 2022 after eight terms and 30 years in that position.
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