“What about Dale and John’s reputations?” said Mark Jarvis, a city resident. “What about legal fees? Council had the taxpayers of Xenia pay for their legal fees. I feel the people responsible for this witch-hunt should be ashamed of themselves.”
Some residents recalled how the state ethics investigation and the city inquiry divided the community.
“It caused animosity between friends,” said Billie Carrico, of Xenia. “It caused animosity at workplaces … I think the city of hospitality was ripped apart by our city council.”
Caupp and Louderback said the ethics probe had a negative impact on their personal and professional lives. They’ve spent about $80,000 in legal fees to to clear their names.
“I personally lost a broker relationship and five accounts over the inquiry process and media attention,” Caupp said. “This is real lost income to my family for the reckless actions of this council.”
The Ohio Ethics Commission sent a letter Aug. 9 to Zashin & Rich, the legal firm representing the city in this matter, stating there was “insufficient evidence to support violations of any ethics laws.”
“The investigation found that Louderback and Caupp did not accept the positions offered by Creative Entertainment Concepts,” wrote Julie Korte, the commission’s chief investigative attorney. “In addition, the investigation developed no evidence that Caupp and Louderback participated, as council members, on matters CEC may have had before the city during the time the parties discussed potential employment.”
The ethics commission also determined Louderback paid for a trip to South Carolina to visit a CEC venue.
“The only thing we’re guilty of is trying to invest in our community,” Louderback said. “Had the city council not went on a witch hunt, city management also, I honestly believe there would be an entertainment center over there … Then after that a movie theater would’ve followed. This would not only benefit the city of Xenia. It would’ve benefited Greene County.”
In September, fellow city council members determined Caupp and Louderback, who planned to invest in a entertainment center deal, violated the city charter at the conclusion of a public ethics inquiry hearing. The council voted 5-0 on the charter violations and public reprimand. Caupp and Louderback abstained.
Although the ethics commission determined Caupp and Louderback did not commit any violations, there are no plans for the city council to issue an apology, said Xenia City Council President Michael Engle.
“We do not consider an apology relevant at this point, because we believe the findings from our independent inquiry stand as they were judged last year,” he said.
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