Cops continue probe of missing money

Oberlin police continue to wait for financial records and a break in another case to investigate money missing from the Eastwood PTO.

Police Lt. Michael McCloskey said detective Victor Ortiz has identified several persons of interest in the PTO case, including former school board vice president Paula Jones. Jones was treasurer of the PTO when about $1,400 raised by Eastwood students to benefit Oberlin Community Services went missing.

"Obviously she's a person of interest in the investigation," McCloskey said. "Again, she hasn't been charged with anything, but she was the treasurer of the PTO at Eastwood, so naturally she'd be a person of interest. But we're going to do our due diligence, following every avenue, talk to anyone else who might be involved."

Students at Eastwood had raised money in a walk-a-thon during the spring, earning $1,305 by walking 1,043 miles. Additional donations increased the total to $1,385, which was intended to go to OCS.

But the donation was never received by OCS, and a complaint was made to the police department Sept. 1. McCloskey said Ortiz has been working the case, but he is also occupied trying to find a second man who was reported in the company of Andrew Davison on the morning of Oct. 11, when Davison allegedly shot another man and himself and injured still another man.

McCloskey said Ortiz has spent several days in Cleveland, where the second man is believed to live. With his time occupied there, McCloskey said Ortiz has been unable to devote much time to the PTO case.

But he said that case is waiting for financial records.

"Financial records have to be subpoenaed," McCloskey said. "And when you're dealing with financial crime it's a lot more detailed. We have to make sure we turn over every stone to figure out where the money went."