Former county commissioner accused of having affair with prosecutor sentenced in fraud case

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A former county commissioner who was accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a former prosecutor received a sentence after pleading guilty to theft and fraud charges while holding public office.

Jessica Dicken, a former Hocking County commissioner, was ordered to pay more than $25,000 in restitution on criminal counts related to fraudulent credit card purchases made in 2022.

According to the Ohio Auditor of State’s office, Dickens pleaded guilty to felony counts of theft and telecommunications fraud and a misdemeanor count of soliciting or accepting improper compensation.

Dicken was under investigation after the Auditor of State’s Special Investigation Unit received a complaint alleging fraudulent use of Hocking County Agricultural Society’s credit card during her time as the Society’s secretary.

The SIU determined that Dicken made more than $19,000 in fraudulent purchases, including to help finance her 2022 campaign for Hocking County Commissioner, as well to pay for a rental vehicle during a family vacation to Florida.

She was indicted by a grand jury in September 2023 and was suspended from serving as Commissioner, a position she resigned from shortly thereafter.

Dicken was also named in an April lawsuit alleging misconduct by former Hocking County Prosecutor Ryan Black, with whom she allegedly had a sexual relationship with while serving as commissioner. The suit alleges that the relationship between Black and Dicken was inappropriate because the prosecutor’s office represents the commissioner’s office in legal matters. Black has denied the allegations in a response filed with the Ohio Supreme Court Board of Professional Conduct.

In August, she pleaded guilty to the fraud charges and was ordered to pay in total $25,090.69, portions of which went to the Society, the Vinton County National Bank, plus audit costs. Dicken must also complete 500 hours of community service and will be subject to community control for up to five years as part of her sentence, which she received Tuesday.