Embattled Marion city auditor submits his resignation after COVID-19 battle
Marion City Auditor Robert Landon announced his resignation on Thursday morning, citing his battle with COVID-19 and the multiple investigations looking into his office.
According to a release hand signed by Landon, the resignation will be effective once the Marion County Republican Party appoints a new auditor for the position. Marion County GOP Chairman Bob Schultz said this process will be handled similarly to finding a replacement judge for Jason Warner where an executive and central committee will meet with candidates and make recommendations for the position.
In the resignation letter, Landon stated he is resigning to protect his wife and children from political attacks and to allow for more time to recover from contracting COVID-19. Landon contracted COVID-19 in mid-august and said he has been in and out of the hospital receiving oxygen and treatment for the side effects of the virus. Because of this, he said he has only been able to work a few hours each day as he experiences chest pains and shortness of breath when he goes into the office.
“We all have witnessed the impact that COVID-VIRUS has imposed on our community,” Landon stated in the release. “For myself laying in the hospital with breathing machines hooked to me to keep me alive brought me closer to my family and faith.”
Landon added he is still battling the effects of COVID-19 to this day.
Also in the resignation letter, Landon references political attacks from Council and Marion Mayor Scott Schertzer as Landon has been the subject of many investigations and Council meetings since the start of this year. While talking with the Star on Thursday, Schultz said the political attacks have gone too far as he believes Council has been after Landon since he was elected.
Schertzer denied any political attacks and instead said his main wish was that Landon do the job he was elected for. This includes paying bills on time, balancing the city's books and making sure money is going to the right account.
“All along, I wanted him to do his job and now I need him to be held accountable for not doing his job,” Schertzer said.
Just this week the Marion Police Department completed an investigation after Landon accused Councilman Josh Daniels, I-at large, of stealing his mail. The investigation found there was no mail to steal.
As for the on-going investigations and other issues brought up at Council, Landon said his goal is to focus on resolving them before he is out of office. This includes the potential penalties assessed from the IRS, balancing the city's books and the recent missed payment to Ohio Public Works Commission.
Schertzer said he doesn't believe Landon will be able to get these issues resolved before leaving office. Additionally, the mayor said he is even more concerned about the unknown issues within the office that the new auditor, city administration and Council will have to clean up.
Reach Mitch Hooper at (740)-2449935, bhooper@gannett.com or @_M1H16 on Twitter