Wednesday, October 27, 1999
Ludlow official in court over back taxes
Kenton County says councilwoman owes $7,000
BY JANE PRENDERGAST
The Cincinnati Enquirer
COVINGTON — A Ludlow councilwoman could lose her house if she doesn't pay the delinquent property taxes she owes to Kenton County.
Janet Rohan said Tuesday she'll take money out of her 401(k) to cover the more than $7,000 she owes. But records in the county attorney's office say she has been promising to do that for a year and a half.
Now, the county is trying to get the money through a civil claim against her. It seeks the back taxes, plus more than $700 in legal fees.
The filing by County Attorney Garry Edmondson said she should be ordered to pay the money — or possibly lose her Ludlow house and two Covington properties on which she owes.
Mrs. Rohan said she didn't understand why her tax status should be held up to public scrutiny.
“It doesn't affect my job on council,” she said. “I realize I owe them and I'm going to pay them. I don't think it's a big issue.”
The delinquency dates to 1995 on a property in the 300 block of East 12th Street in Covington, according to the county attorney's office. The other two locations, in the 1700 block of Scott Street in Covington and on her Elm Street house in Ludlow, have been delinquent since 1997.
In April 1998, she told the county attorney's office she would be taking a loan from her 401(k) to pay the taxes. In August of that year, she paid $6,700 toward her bill, but it has grown again since that time.
The county warned her in December she could face legal
action. Mr. Edmondson has no record of any communication from her since.
She said Tuesday she was not aware of all the delinquencies until she got the court documents this week. A retiree, she said she spends all her time caring for her husband, who has Alzheimer's disease.
Mrs. Rohan blamed attention to her delinquent bills on continuing controversies in Ludlow. A group of naysayers is just out to get every council member, she said.
She is the second this month to have a closet skeleton revealed. Councilman Ron Wofford was discovered to have an outstanding warrant in Hamilton County for allegedly committing minor misdemeanor drug abuse in 1988.
Also still brewing in the small city, population 4,500, where officials still have not agreed on a budget:
• The fire department is the subject of a grand jury investigation. Councilman Garry Hatter Sr. is a boss on the fire department.
• The water system is expected to lose $80,000 this year in part because the city isn't exactly sure which bills have been paid.
• Council still hasn't finalized a severance deal with their former city administrator who has already been off the job for months.
Mr. Edmondson said he didn't know Mrs. Rohan was a city official until it was pointed out to him Tuesday.
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