Criminal case complicates Moraine council races

Candidate to be sentenced for theft from elderly person.

Man, 68, drowns at Caesar Creek Lake
5/26/12
Water rescues prompt warning from health officials
5/25/12
Beach Waterpark sued for failure to deliver
5/25/12
Raleigh Trammell’s defense opens in felony trial
5/25/12
UD to move satellite campus to Dublin
5/25/12
> More headlines

By Lawrence Budd, Staff Writer 7:52 PM Saturday, August 27, 2011

A Moraine City Council candidate is scheduled for sentencing Wednesday in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court for theft from an elderly person.

Jane A. White, 60, pleaded guilty Aug. 5 to a third-degree theft charge and remains free on her own recognizance pending the sentencing hearing 9 a.m. Wednesday in Judge Barbara Gorman’s court, according to court records.

While working as home health aide, White is accused of stealing checks from a 91-year-old Centerville man and depositing more than $5,000 in her personal accounts, authorities said.

White is the only candidate filed to run Nov. 8 for the 1st Ward seat on Moraine City Council. The seat has been vacant since Jack Sexton resigned July 15.

White’s conviction could also affect the candidacy of Danny Sexton, who is filed to run against incumbent Dana Bonfield in Moraine’s 2nd Ward.

On Friday, Moraine Law Director Buzz Portune filed protests of White’s candidacy based on her criminal case and Sexton’s candidacy because White gathered signatures for Sexton. White and Sexton both failed to accurately describe the office sought, disqualifying their petitions, Portune claimed in the protests.

The county board of elections is set Tuesday to consider certification of the Moraine petitions. At the meeting, the board is expected to scheduled hearings on Portune’s protests.

“The board of elections has gotten direction from the prosecutor’s office that the candidate may appear on the ballot. Should that candidate win, it’s a decision of the law director of that municipality on if they can hold office,” said Betty Smith, deputy director of the county Board of Elections.

Sexton, White and her lawyer could not be reached for comment.

Two other candidates pulled petitions to run in Moraine’s 1st Ward, but only White filed by the Thursday deadline.

On Friday, Jack Sexton said Danny Sexton was no relation to him.

When asked if he might file as a write-in candidate, he said, “I’ll have to think about that.”

Monday is the deadline for write-in candidates.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2261 or lbudd@DaytonDailyNews.com.

Share this article