Smith was booked Monday night into the jail after police served warrants at his home on Sabina Road, according to Sgt. Earl Nelson. Middletown Municipal Court Judge James Sherron said if convicted of the felonies, Smith faces up to 18 months in jail and a $5,000 fine.
Sherron set Smith’s bond at $5,000, or 10%. He was represented by attorney Christopher Deal, who told Sherron that his client has no criminal history and is employed. After the arraignment, Deal said he didn’t want to comment to the press.
Smith posted the $500 and was released from the jail Wednesday, according to court records.
Smith will return to court at 9 a.m. Aug. 30 for his preliminary hearing.
His wife, Diane Rodgers, was recently terminated from her position at Central Connections and is the target of criminal investigations regarding finances at the center, according to police Chief David Birk. No criminal charges have been filed and the investigation is ongoing, he said.
Rodgers hasn’t been seen publicly since she was terminated by the Central Connections board of directors on July 27 and escorted out of the building by Middletown police.
According to the court complaint filed by Middletown Detective Patrick Glassburn, Smith’s charges stem from the fraud investigation “at Central Connections with the executive director.”
Smith allegedly wrote seven checks that totaled $56,300 between June 1, 2022 and June 23, 2023 from his bank to Central Connections and the checks were returned for insufficient funds, according to the court document.
The check amounts ranged from $2,800 to $15,000, according to documents. It appears Smith allegedly was attempting to return money taken from the Central Connections account, Nelson said.
Glassburn said after confirming through the bank that the checks were returned, he called Smith on Aug. 16 and left a message. Smith did not return the call, according to the detective.
“I filed warrants for his arrest for each check and during a search warrant on Aug. 21 at his place of residence in Sabina, Ohio. He was placed under arrest and transported to Clinton County Sheriff’s Office. Vincent agreed to waive his extradition and was transported to Middletown City Detectives Section at which time he was read his Miranda Warnings and he requested an attorney. He was walked to the jail and booked in accordingly,” the detective wrote in the addendum
Central Connections: Timeline
Nov. 6, 2012: Middletown taxpayers pass a five-year, 1-mill levy to provide or maintain senior services at the Middletown Area Senior Center.
Aug. 16, 2015: The name of the Middletown Area Senior Center is changed to Central Connections.
May 2, 2017: Middletown taxpayers renew a five-year, 1-mill levy to provide or maintain senior services at the center.
November 2021: Diane Rodgers is hired as executive director. She says she moved from Reno, Nev., where she oversaw a senior center and worked with the homeless population, to be closer to her daughter who lives in New York.
July 29, 2022: Rodgers signs for a mortgage loan through First Financial Bank for $450,000, then does a loan modification that increases the amount to $650,000, according to the Butler County Recorder’s Office. Her signature and job title are listed on the loan that matures on July 29, 2024.
Nov. 1, 2022: Ribbon-cutting is held to celebrate the $1.5 million in renovations of Central Connections, 3907 Central Ave.
Dec. 31, 2022: Senior citizens center levy expires after generating $7 million over 10 years.
May 5, 2023: D.E.R. Development Co. files a lien against Central Connections, saying the company is owed $266,594.52, plus allowable interest.
May 31, 2023: Rodgers files vandalism report at Central Connections. Middletown police say that leads to the investigation of center’s finances.
July 24, 2023: The Council on Aging terminates its three-year contract with Central Connections. Fifty employees are laid off.
July 25, 2023: Nearly 75 senior citizens and former and current employees of Central Connections attend a meeting in the café with Rick Fishbaugh, board president, and Rodgers.
July 27, 2023: Rodgers is terminated as executive director of Central Connections and escorted out of the building by Middletown police.
Aug. 3, 2023: During a special City Council meeting and after an executive session, City Manager Paul Lolli announces council has agreed to move forward with the possible purchase of the Central Connections building and land and for an unknown amount that will come out of the city’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fund.
Aug. 5, 2023: In an email to the Journal-News, attorney Tyrone Borger, who is representing Rodgers, writes that he and his client have been “informed that there is an ongoing investigation. As such, while my client would like to comment and clear up several misconceptions. She is taking my advice and refusing to comment on any allegations at this time.”
Aug. 9, 2023: Middletown Police Chief David Birk says his department is working with the Ohio attorney general’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation into the criminal investigation into the finances of Central Connections.
Aug. 11, 2023: Central Connections announces more layoff and the closing of the cafe and bar. The hours are reduced to 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Aug. 15, 2023: City Council votes unanimously to allow City Manager Paul Lolli to enter into a lease agreement with Central Connections. The lease is $50 per month. By the end of 2023, the city has the right to purchase the building and property for $1.8 million.
Aug. 21, 2023: Vincent “Scott” Smith, husband of the former executive director, arrested and charged with seven counts of passing bad checks, all felonies.
Aug. 23, 2023: Smith appears in Middletown Municipal Court for his arraignment. Judge James Sherron sets Smith’s OR bond at $5,000.
