LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) - The trial has begun for the former Allen County Regional Transit Authority director accused of stealing thousands of dollars from the agency during her time in charge.
Jurors heard opening statements Monday afternoon in the trial of Sheila Haney, who is facing multiple felony charges, including theft in office and tampering with evidence.
Haney resigned from the RTA in 2020. According to the Ohio Auditor’s Office Special Investigations Unit, discrepancies were discovered involving the sale of salvage vehicles and Haney’s expense reports. She was indicted on the charges in 2024. Investigators allege Haney stole approximately $27,000.
“In essence, we will show that Sheila Haney broke the rules to achieve our own goals in two generalized areas. First, she was so eager to convince voters to pass the RTA levy that she took the RTA money and sent it to a political action committee and then altered records to hide it. Secondly, after passing the levy when she wasn't getting the pay raise she thought she deserved. She made the RTA unknowingly pay for her trips to get a new job, even though she was also paid by those prospective employers,” an opening statement made by the state's prosecutors said.
Haney’s trial went into recess on Monday evening and will resume Tuesday morning.
