Former Delaware Co. Commissioner Pleads Guilty To Ethics Violations, Misses Jail Time

A former Delaware County commissioner appeared in court on Monday where he pleaded guilty to ethics violations.

Former Delaware County commissioner Todd Hanks pleaded guilty to ethics violations after he was accused of improperly using his position to benefit private businesses, 10TV's Shayla Reaves reported.

Hanks pleaded guilty to three misdemeanor charges for conflicts of interest. Prosecutors said Hanks used his position to benefit private businesses he had relationships with.

Hanks was accused of paying an unapproved bill and voting against one contractor for jail improvements in favor of another which his company had ties to, Reaves reported.

"He knew the boundaries he was supposed to operate in and he did not do that. He went beyond those boundaries," Ohio Assistant Attorney General Brad Tammaro said. "We thought that that was pretty definitive if the fact. It's not like somebody going in there and operating under complete darkness. He knew he wasn't supposed be doing this."

Hanks' charges date back to February 2009. He received a suspended sentence, meaning he won't serve any jail time.

In exchange for his guilty plea, Hanks will serve a year of probation, serve 50 hours of community service and pay a $1,500 fine.

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