State joins senior center investigation
Former account manager says 13 Central Connections board members ‘went to sleep.’
As the Ohio attorney general’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation has joined the Middletown Division of Police into the criminal investigation into the finances of Central Connections, a former account manager is questioning the actions of its board.
A letter from Middletown Police Chief David Birk was sent Friday to BCI’s forensic account unit requesting the assistance of a forensic accountant “with a financial investigation resulting from an alleged theft of monies from a local organization.”
Steve Irwin, spokesman for the Ohio attorney general’s office, confirmed the office’s involvement, stating the investigation is active.
Birk told the Journal-News the investigation is concerning Central Connections, the city’s senior center. Diane Rodgers, hired as
Central Connections executive director in 2021, was terminated late last month by the board for “cause,” said Rick Fishbaugh, board president.
Kate Cleary, former account manager at Central Connections who was fired by Rodgers, said she sent an email to all the board members in October 2022 addressing her concerns regarding the center’s financial stability. She said none of the 13 board members, including Fishbaugh, responded to her email.
“It’s like all 13 went to sleep,” Cleary said. “It’s bizarre.”
Fishbaugh hasn’t returned calls from the Journal-News this week.
Meanwhile, city staff is overseeing the daily operations of Central Connections following a special City Council meeting last week when it was decided the city would possibly purchase the building and property from