Sunday, May 02, 1999
Investigation continues of ex-property value administrator
BY PATRICK CROWLEY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
NEWPORT — It could be a month before Newport police and state auditors complete their investigation of the Campbell County Property Value Administrator's (PVA) Office.
On April 25, six-year incumbent Administrator Bill Kaiser, a Southgate Democrat, abruptly resigned after county prosecutors revealed a criminal investigation into funds missing from the office had been going on for about six weeks.
Mr. Kaiser, 50, has not been charged with any crime. He is cooperating with a team that includes investigators, auditors and prosecutors from the Newport police, the state auditor's office, the Campbell County Attorney's Office and the office of Campbell County Commonwealth Attorney Lou Ball.
“The auditors got to the office early (last) week and are really just starting to dig,” Campbell County Attorney Justin Verst said Friday.“We're not going to be saying much of anything until the investigation is complete, and that could take from two to four weeks.”
Sources close to the investigation said a bank that does business with the county tipped off officials about irregularities in a PVA account.
Police have said the investigation is looking into Mr. Kaiser's personal finances as well as the accounts in the PVA's office.
The PVA sets property values for tax purposes, and the office receives operating money from the state.
The office is also paid by the county and cities for performing tax assessments. Some PVA offices sell tax data, maps and other information to banks, lending institutions other finance-related companies and marketing firms, though it isn't clear whether the Campbell County PVA sold that information as a way to make extra income for the office.
“A PVA's office is nothing like a county clerk's office, where thousands of dollars comes in every day,” said Kenton County PVA Mark Vogt. “But money does come in.”
The state revenue cabinet has assigned an interim PVA, John Peters of Greenup County, to run the office until a replacement is appointed.
Gov. Paul Patton, a Democrat, will appoint a replacement sometime after the state gives the PVA's test, which is tentatively scheduled for May 15 or May 22. Anyone passing the test is eligible for the appointment.
Democrat Connie Beiting of Fort Thomas, who Mr. Kaiser beat in last spring's primary, and Republican Kevin Gordon of Alexandria, who lost to Mr. Kaiser in the November general election, have both said they intend to take the test.
A special election will be held in November to fill the remaining three years of Mr. Kaiser's four-year term. The candidates will be chosen by the executive committees of the Campbell County Republican and Democratic parties.
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