Uhrichsville mayor reacts to former mayor’s jail sentence
UHRICHSVILLE – The city’s mayor says justice has been served now that the city’s former mayor is going to jail.
Mayor Jim Zucal says former mayor Mark Haney’s actions that led to his 10-day jail sentence are inexcusable.
Haney earlier this year pleaded guilty to felony theft and soliciting improper compensation after the state auditor’s office accused him of using city funds to pay for personal expenses. Judge Michael Ernest at Tuesday’s sentencing said Haney’s explanations for his actions lacked credibility.
Despite pleading guilty, Haney denied any intentional wrongdoing and accused Zucal of threatening to “make his life a living hell” if he didn’t fire or discipline certain employees before the allegations surface.
Zucal said that wasn’t true and took issue with Haney’s statements.
“It had nothing to do with employees,” Zucal said. “He stole from the taxpayers of the city of Uhrichsville… and he was convicted of it. He was convicted, and it wasn’t minor. It was thousands of dollars and four years of theft.”
Haney’s punishment also includes 16-thousand dollars in restitution, 60 days of house arrest, a period of probation and a 7-year ban from public office.
Haney served one term as mayor before Zucal beat him in the 2023 Democratic primary.