MARION—The inconsistency and drama surrounding Marion City Auditor Robert Landon has now taken important time and attention away from the Marion Police Department.
While Landon was spotted at Marion City Hall on Tuesday, he has been absent from work for weeks while recovering from Covid. Marion City Councilman Josh Daniels seemed to launch Landon’s personal revenge tour when he pointed out to media that an invoice was sent from the Ohio Public Works Commission to the auditor’s office for more than $70,000, had only been partially paid. Apparently, Landon didn’t read the entire invoice (sent by email), leaving the unpaid balance. According to Mayor Scott Shertzer, late and missing payments affect the city’s ability to obtain grants and interest-free loans for city sewer and street projects.
Knowing the city receives its invoices via email and not regular mail, Landon still took it upon himself to file a police report accusing Daniels of stealing physical mail from his office.
Marion City Police Chief Jay McDonald told City Council Monday night that the allegations are unfounded. “Basically, this report says that there was no mail to steal,” McDonald said.
Unable to face his accuser because he hasn’t attended a meeting in over a month, Daniels responded: “Mr. Landon already knows that no one stole his mail because there was no mail to steal. Are you here, Mr. Landon? He’s absent. He’s absent again. Not here to answer any questions,” Daniels said.
Chief McDonald told the council that Landon has put his department through two requested investigations. He used 18 hours of taxpayer time investigating Landon’s claims. He put the department’s best investigator on the case, and he was diverted from his normal duties as a homicide detective.
Landon has recently touted a copy of his nomination for the HERO award presented by the Government Finance Officers Association.
Photo from Robert Landon, Marion City Auditor’s Office Facebook page.
GFOA’s Third Annual Hero Award recognizes finance officers who have demonstrated extraordinary actions during a time of health, financial, natural, or human-made crisis.
Crawford County Now investigated this organization based in Chicago.
According to their website, the organization is open to anyone whose career, studies, or interests involve government finance.
Crawford County Now reached out to Natalie Laudadio, Senior Communications Manager. According to Laudadio, members enroll online and pay a membership fee according to the population. In their government of interest. Landon’s membership is $250.00 per year based on Marion’s population of 35,999. It is not known if taxpayer money supports the membership through professional development monies.
According to Laudadio, a person can simply go online and nominate a member for the Hero award. She could not confirm if Landon or someone else nominated him.
Based on the controversy around Landon, the fact that he has made blatant mistakes, including paying the wrong agencies, falling for a phone scam, making partial and late payments to contractors as well as the fact that the city’s books remain unbalanced, Crawford County Now asked how he even passed the nomination selection process.
Our inquiry was cut short, and Ms. Laudadio said she would forward the criteria for the nomination and the selection process as well as the selection committee.
Crawford County was able to research and learn that Landon did not receive the award.
Crawford County Now has not received any of the information requested from the Government Finance Officers Association.