Geauga County’s former chief technology officer appeared in court Friday morning on charges he embezzled taxpayer money through a company set up by his daughter.
Stephen T. Decatur, 58, of Munson Township, worked for Geauga County for 12 years before he was arrested and charged Thursday with having an unlawful interest in a public contract, a fourth degree felony.
Decatur appeared in handcuffs before Judge Terri Stupica in Chardon Municipal Court. Stupica set Decatur’s bond at $25,000 cash or surety and deemed Decatur a flight risk because evidence at his Heath Road home showed he had “transferred money overseas.”
As a condition of the bond, Decatur was also ordered to give up his passports and wear and a GPS device. Decatur appeared with public defender Colleen Del Balso. It was unknown if Decatur actually had a passport.
According to the complaint, from Nov. 2016 to Sept. 28, 2017 “Decatur and Auditor Frank Gliha have authorized the payment of $259,700.00 to SMCS Tech for Geauga County Automated Data Processing service without contracts or service agreements.”
You can read all the details so far here.
SMCS Tech is a domestic limited liability company register with the Ohio Secretary of State’s office. Stephanie Stewart, who is Decatur’s daughter, is listed as the company’s agent. The address is a PO Box in Fairlawn.
The company’s website listed a telephone number that is out of service.
The website states: “Founded in 2009, SMCS or Systems Management Consulting Services began offering support services to local small businesses and home offices. Over time, SMCS became known as an amazing firm that offers A-1 support and consulting services to individuals and small businesses nationwide.”
Geauga County Prosecutor Jim Flaiz said after the bond hearing he could not comment, but he did expect more charges in the case as the investigation continues.
Decatur has told co-workers that he has cancer, and his wife, who was in the courtroom, told deputies she was concerned about Decatur’s health and wanted to make sure he had his medication.