A longtime firefighter will have his peace officer certificate revoked after pleading guilty to two felony charges.
Matthew Wells, 52, of Galion, pleaded guilty Monday in Richland County Common Pleas Court to tampering with records, a third-degree felony; and an amended charge of theft in office, a third-degree felony.
In exchange for his plea, the state dismissed a second count of theft in office, nine counts of tampering with records and one count of wire fraud.
Under the terms of the deal, Wells will earn more than $26,000.
He most recently served as Crestline’s fire chief.
Wells was previously employed by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, the Springfield Township Fire Department in Richland County and the Pleasant Township Fire Department in Marion.
The Ohio Auditor’s Office is handling this case on behalf of the state. Special Prosecutor Matt Anger reviewed the details of Judge Phil Naumoff’s case.
Anger said Wells was employed by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce from 2015 to 2023.
Wells began working in the fire department while employed by the Ohio Department of Education and Labor
“In October or November 2016, Mr. Wells began working as a swimmer for the Springfield Township Fire Department and also worked for the Pleasant Township Fire Department,” Anger said. “Mr. Wells began working at Springfield and Pleasant during the hours he was scheduled to work for ODE.”
At times, Wells either collected hours for two agencies or took paid leave, including sick leave, from one while working for the other.
“His timesheets showed he worked at ODE when he worked for the fire department,” Anger said. “The records were false.”
Wells was ordered to pay $13,181.96 to ODE and the same amount to the State Auditor’s Office.
The veteran firefighter was scheduled to go on trial Tuesday after Naumoff last week denied a defense motion to dismiss the case.
With his request, Wells agreed to have his peace officer certificate revoked. He will be sentenced on July 15.
Anger said after the hearing that he would submit a motion to the judge regarding sentencing. Wells could receive three years in prison for forging documents and 18 months for office theft.
The state opened an investigation on January 20, 2022. The original charge date range was October 25, 2016, through July 30, 2021.
In October, Wells was charged with theft in an official capacity, two counts of common larceny and a misdemeanor charge of representing a public officer or employee.
In April, he was charged again based on the previous allegations, and the previous case was discontinued.
“The principal change to the charges is the addition of new charges for tampering and one count of wire fraud,” Anger wrote in his response to the motion to dismiss.
Wells will be subject to a presence investigation. He is free on bail.
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