PIKE COUNTY, Ohio — Pike County Sheriff Charles Reader has been suspended Wednesday after he was indicted on 16 counts last month.
The charges stem from Reader being accused of stealing money from drug busts to support a gambling addiction.
Ohio State Auditor Keith Faber announced the grand jury presented Reader with seven charges of conflict of interest, four charges of theft in office, two charges of thefts, one charge each of tampering with evidence, tampering with records and securing writing by description.
Faber released this statement following the suspension:
"Charles Reader has chosen to accept his suspension from office while the criminal case pending against him proceeds. His decision enables the community to maintain confidence in the sheriff’s office while the legal process continues.”
In a statement to the suspension proceedings, Reader wrote that the Ohio Auditor's Office's investigation of him and the sheriff's Office caused "debilitating stress" and "adversely affected the functioning of the Office."
Reader also wrote that his administration or conduct within the office did not adversely affect the office's function or the rights and interests of the public.
An attorney for Reader did not provide comment to 10TV regarding the suspension.
