Moraine council clerk gets a second chance

Elected officials reinstate man busted in March prostitution sting.

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By Steve Bennish  and Kristin McAllister, Staff Writers Updated 4:00 PM Friday, May 22, 2009

MORAINE — Although he was ensnared during the investigation of a local prostitution business, the city’s clerk of council got a reprieve from his bosses, Thursday night, May 21, when they decided to give him a second chance.

The Moraine City Council voted to reinstate Stephen French to the job he has held since June 2008.

On March 30, French was one of three people arrested at 1274 Westcliff Court during a prostitution investigation by the Montgomery County Organized Crime Unit and Kettering police.

On April 30, he pleaded guilty in Kettering Municipal Court French to the charge of solicitation and having a weapon while intoxicated. During the arrest, police found a pistol and some ammunition in French’s vehicle.

Mayor Jean Matheny said Thursday night that the council felt French deserved a second chance for a number of reasons.

“As an employee, he was a great employee,” she said. “He’s a human, he’s not perfect. He was totally embarrassed, and his family was embarrassed. He’s a good-hearted man, and a good, church-going man. He got caught doing something he never should have done, and he knows that.”

Matheny said French, 38, will have to reimburse the city for his paid leave following the charges, so he “won’t be getting a free vacation” from the ordeal.

French was grateful and seemed moved by the council’s decision.

“I’m really trying to get my feelings together right now,” he said. “I am very excited about the second chance and look forward to serving the city of Moraine for a long time.”

Police made the arrests while investigating an advertisement on craigslist.com that offered massages.

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