TIFFIN, Ohio — Seneca County Prosecutor Derek DeVine has announced that he will not oversee the investigation into the alleged misuse of county resources related to a controversial article attacking an Advertiser-Tribune reporter. This decision follows the publication of an article by Sheri Trusty, an independent contractor for the county, which criticized reporter Kayla Trevino for her coverage of Commissioner Bill Frankart’s family legal disputes.
In a news release, DeVine stated, “We have asked the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation to evaluate the facts and circumstances of the situation and to investigate if warranted.” He also noted that the Ohio Ethics Commission has been informed about the possible misuse of county resources, and the Bureau has been asked to coordinate the appointment of a special prosecutor from the Ohio Attorney General’s office if necessary, according to the Advertiser-Tribune.
The article in question was posted on the county’s website on October 14 and accused Trevino of conducting a “witch hunt” against Frankart, labeling her reporting as a fabrication. The piece praised Frankart as “one of the most respected and dedicated elected officials” in Seneca County and was removed from the county website the following day after a complaint from an attorney representing Frankart’s former daughter-in-law.
While Trusty’s article quoted Frankart, it remains unclear whether he requested its publication or had any direct influence over it. TiffinOhio.net has submitted public records requests to county administrator Barb Patterson regarding the situation. Patterson initially estimated that the records would be available on Monday, October 21, but has since stated that they need an “IT consultant” to obtain the records, and that the consultant has not yet responded.
The Advertiser-Tribune has also submitted a public records request for any emails exchanged between Frankart and Trusty regarding the article. Patterson indicated that locating such emails could be challenging, although the records are publicly accessible.
The Advertiser-Tribune’s reporting on October 12 detailed a custody dispute involving Frankart’s family, highlighting allegations that he hired an individual to stalk his former daughter-in-law amid ongoing custody proceedings for his 4-year-old granddaughter. This custody battle concluded on September 3, when a judge awarded full and permanent custody to the granddaughter’s mother. Frankart’s son, Zachary, who was convicted on sexual assault charges in 2022, had originally sought custody.
The former daughter-in-law reported to police that the individual Frankart allegedly hired identified himself as a private investigator and exhibited a badge purchased from a law enforcement equipment company. Following multiple encounters, she sought a civil protection order against him. A hearing on this matter, originally scheduled for Tuesday, has been postponed to November 12.
Frankart has not commented on the Advertiser-Tribune’s original article and has not responded to subsequent inquiries from the A-T or TiffinOhio.net.
