0 Facebook 0 Twitter 0 Facebook-messenger 0 Whatsapp 0 Email Pam Larkin, the Republican Councilwoman-elect for Marion’s 2nd Ward, sat down for an extensive interview recently on The Watchmen’s Report to outline her governing philosophy, dissect the city’s deepening financial and cultural challenges, and call for a shift from partisan conflict to concerted community action. […]
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0 Facebook 0 Twitter 0 Facebook-messenger 0 Whatsapp 0 Email For years, Marion Watch Investigates has delivered one core truth about our city’s financial records: The books are not dependable. We stated clearly and repeatedly that the city’s digital ledger was functionally unauditable because the essential digital safety features—like proper reconciliation methods and software safety […]
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0 Facebook 0 Twitter 0 Facebook-messenger 0 Whatsapp 0 Email The Marion County OH Sheriff’s Office (SO) and Marion OH Police Department (PD) have granted an unprecedented level of access to their local surveillance data, specifically from the Flock Safety Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) system, to a massive network of 2,132 external agencies. This […]
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0 Facebook 0 Twitter 0 Facebook-messenger 0 Whatsapp 0 Email For more than a decade, Marion’s financial system operated with a silent flaw—a General Ledger (GL) override buried inside its accounting software. Installed in July 2009, this override allowed city employees to bypass legal spending limits, triggering a cascade of overspending and ballooning negative balances. […]
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0 Facebook 0 Twitter 0 Facebook-messenger 0 Whatsapp 0 Email For 21 years, the City of Marion had an Information Systems Committee on its books, a committee with the power to oversee every piece of the city’s technology. Yet, as a Marion Watch investigation reveals, according to official Marion City Council Summaries, this committee was […]
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0 Facebook 0 Twitter 0 Facebook-messenger 0 Whatsapp 0 Email Former Marion City Auditor Robert Landon has issued a press release claiming that recent audit findings and reviews by outside firms have “definitively verified” the systemic financial and software issues he reported during his tenure. As requested, Marion Watch Investigates is presenting Mr. Landon’s statement […]
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0 Facebook 0 Twitter 0 Facebook-messenger 0 Whatsapp 0 Email Marion Watch Investigates has completed its preliminary review of the City of Marion’s Single Audit for the fiscal year 2021, a report that was filed over three years late. The findings, issued by the Ohio Auditor of State, paint a devastating picture of a city […]
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0 Facebook 0 Twitter 0 Facebook-messenger 0 Whatsapp 0 Email For 21 years, the City of Marion had an Information Systems Committee on its books, a committee with the power to oversee every piece of the city’s technology. Yet, as a Marion Watch investigation reveals, this committee was a ghost. For 19 consecutive years, its […]
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0 Facebook 0 Twitter 0 Facebook-messenger 0 Whatsapp 0 Email Marion Watch believes the City of Marion still has serious, basic computer security problems. We predict that city employees are still sharing passwords and that many have computer and or New World permissions they shouldn’t have. New World is Marion’s financial software used citywide. Why […]
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0 Facebook 0 Twitter 0 Facebook-messenger 0 Whatsapp 0 Email Marion Mayor Bill Collins has formally requested assistance from the Ohio Auditor of State to conduct a full forensic IT audit of the city’s computer systems. The mayor’s request is based on extensive research compiled and submitted by us, Marionwatch.com Investigates. We have recommended the […]
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0 Facebook 0 Twitter 0 Facebook-messenger 0 Whatsapp 0 Email For most of its 200-year history, Marion was controlled by a fairly equal distribution of both Republican and Democratic mayors, council members, auditors, treasurers, and law directors. One party would take over for a while, and then the other would supplant it at the ballot […]
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0 Facebook 0 Twitter 0 Facebook-messenger 0 Whatsapp 0 Email Beginning Sunday night and into Monday morning Marion Watch Investigates teams were reaching out to officials for comment on rumors of fraud in the City’s Fahey account. All city council advised that they were told not to comment on this and another rumor about possible […]
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0 Facebook 0 Twitter 0 Facebook-messenger 0 Whatsapp 0 Email The Marion City Council’s Finance Committee voted unanimously (3-0) on Monday to advance a “cleanup” ordinance openly accusing the Auditor’s office of “misfeasance, malfeasance, and or nonfeasance” for paying a $58,000 bill without council approval. The strongly-worded legislation now moves to the full City Council, […]
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0 Facebook 0 Twitter 0 Facebook-messenger 0 Whatsapp 0 Email In 1215, a group of English barons stood on the fields of Runnymede and demanded that King John sign a document that would change the course of civilization. That document, the Magna Carta, the “Great Charter”, became one of the cornerstones of liberty and justice. […]
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0 Facebook 0 Twitter 0 Facebook-messenger 0 Whatsapp 0 Email Within a year of the disappearance and murder of 17-year-old Catherine Conley in 1979, Marion was shocked by the disappearance and probable murder of 15-year-old Lori Ann Robinson. As with the murder of Conley, the late-Dana Slane, who was recently indicted by a Grand Jury […]
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0 Facebook 0 Twitter 0 Facebook-messenger 0 Whatsapp 0 Email Marion At-Large Councilman Ralph Smith delivered a forceful assessment of the city’s financial crisis during his October 8, 2025, appearance on the Watchmen’s Report, arguing that a breakdown in IT security and political will has created a multi-year budget mess. Smith, whose technical background includes […]
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0 Facebook 0 Twitter 0 Facebook-messenger 0 Whatsapp 0 Email On the 1st of June 1979, 17-year-old Catherine Louise Conley went missing. Around 8:45 pm that evening, the resident of 217 Windsor Street departed her family home and walked to the Kroger grocery store formerly located on S Main Street near the intersection with Columbia […]
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0 Facebook 0 Twitter 1 Facebook-messenger 0 Whatsapp 0 Email A Note from Marion Watch Investigates: Our team at Marion Watch was originally investigating a different matter concerning Marion’s City Council and other agencies in the late 1970s when we stumbled across a series of extremely concerning circumstances recorded in official council minutes, and newpaper […]
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0 Facebook 0 Twitter 0 Facebook-messenger 0 Whatsapp 0 Email Marion City Councilwoman and FInance Committee Chairwoman Twila Laing’s appearance on The Watchman’s Report exposed a long-standing financial crisis rooted in the deliberate or negligent disabling of core software security controls. A fervent supporter of the Marion City Charter initiative, she echoed officials and citizens […]
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0 Facebook 0 Twitter 0 Facebook-messenger 0 Whatsapp 0 Email Brian Lovell, a candidate seeking a seat on the Marion City Charter Commission, has delivered a powerful indictment of the city’s current statutory governance, labeling its financial system the primary impediment to progress, echoing the views of nearly all elected officials and citizens we have […]
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0 Facebook 0 Twitter 0 Facebook-messenger 0 Whatsapp 0 Email The financial crisis documented in local Marion financial and information technology records fits the profile of systemic fraud mechanisms targeted and uncovered by Department of Justice (DOJ) and federal investigative agencies. The crisis is not merely local incompetence; it is intentional technical systems manipulation—a decades-long […]
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0 Facebook 0 Twitter 0 Facebook-messenger 0 Whatsapp 0 Email Most people have heard the term “city charter,” but not everyone knows what it actually means. A city charter is like the constitution of a city. It lays out how local government works, who holds authority, and how decisions are made. Without it, we just […]
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Is Marion County legal system fundamentally broken?
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In Marion, there are echoes. They are whispers and rumors of events so terrible that the public often finds it easier to criticize the victim than to believe the brave voices telling the truth.
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Teen recants rape claims as judge questions prosecutor’s case, while community rallies for Ratliff.
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The indictment of Councilman Ratliff and his wife has fractured public perception, creating two powerful and opposing narratives.
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A Marion councilman and his wife face felony charges in a controversial case involving recanted testimony and questionable prosecutorial conduct.
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Robert Landon III breaks his silence on Auditor issues, personal struggles, transparency, ethics, accountability.
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Marion’s charter journey demands financial overhaul and forensic IT audit to secure transparent governance, addressing persistent vulnerabilities and cyber threats.
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Marion’s Auditor faces IT failures, data falsification, and legal woes, eroding public trust and costing taxpayers.
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This sequence of events, particularly the indictment following a recantation from a vulnerable individual, raises profound ethical and legal concerns.
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Voices Rise in Marion: Citizens Challenge Leadership on Transit, Transparency, and Governance.
On Monday, a tumultuous Night at Marion City Council: Voices Heard Amidst Deep-Seated Concerns.
Written by marion-watch
Marion County, Ohio, possesses a rich and often dynamic political history, extending from its role as the home of a U.S. President to more recent local controversies. The county is notably the birthplace and political base of Warren G. Harding, the 29th U.S. President, whose famous “front porch” campaign originated from his Marion residence. This historical connection underscores Marion’s long-standing engagement with significant political narratives.
In contemporary times, Marion County’s political landscape continues to be active and, at times, contentious, particularly during election years. While the county has evolved into a Republican stronghold in presidential elections since 1940, some contests have remained notably close, indicating a competitive underlying political environment. This competitive spirit often manifests in local elections, where judicial races, in particular, can become focal points of public scrutiny and debate.
Written by marion-watch
Marion Watch’s investigation spotlights the interconnected experiences of Skylar Haberman and community activist Naomi Craig in Marion County. Haberman alleges his child’s welfare is severely compromised in the mother’s care and that a neighbor-initiated protection order is a tool for harassment, resulting in approximately 80 police calls to his home. He claims these calls were then used against him in his custody dispute, which is further complicated by the presiding judge having previously represented his ex-partner—a clear conflict of interest.
This situation intersects with Naomi Craig after Haberman hired her son for lawn work. Subsequently, Craig’s son faced alleged police harassment over a minor, unsubstantiated claim. Craig views this as retaliation, especially given prior police inaction on her own serious reports of threats and attempts by a council member to silence her public concerns.
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The controversial resolution of serious felony charges against Wayne E. Sisson III has intensified public concerns about justice in Marion County. Felonious assault, strangulation, and domestic violence charges, potentially carrying over eight years in prison, were dismissed. Instead, Sisson pleaded to a misdemeanor, receiving 180 days (158 suspended) and two years community control. Given the grave questions this outcome raises, legal and ethics experts consulted by marionwatch.com advise that an independent, thorough review by an appropriate external oversight body—such as the Ohio Board of Professional Conduct, the Office of Disciplinary Counsel, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, or a specially appointed independent prosecutor—is essential to investigate these matters comprehensively, aiming to restore accountability and ensure equitable justice.
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Local attorney Jack Herchel VanBibber is confronting a new wave of serious misconduct allegations, detailed in a “First Amended Complaint” filed on May 15, 2025, by the Supreme Court of Ohio’s Disciplinary Counsel. This follows a May 7, 2024, two-year stayed suspension for previous infractions.
The fresh accusations include profound client neglect, making false statements to courts and investigators, engaging in improper sexual conduct, and repeated failure to cooperate with disciplinary authorities. Alarmingly, some alleged new misconduct reportedly began just days after his June 2023 disciplinary hearing for prior issues. The complaint also highlights concerns from the Ohio Lawyers Assistance Program regarding VanBibber’s candor about substance use.
These developments cast a shadow over previous community support, including a 2023 letter from Marion County Prosecutor Raymond Grogan. The new allegations, if substantiated, could trigger VanBibber’s current stayed suspension or lead to more severe sanctions, including disbarment, further intensifying scrutiny of Marion County’s legal system.
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A contentious Marion City Hall meeting saw a mayoral proposal to limit public access spark citizen protest and council division. The “Can Do” organization faced financial scrutiny, contrasting with strong community support for Leapin’ Ministries. The meeting ended with unresolved issues, highlighting concerns over trust and transparency in local governance.
Written by marion-watch
Marion, Ohio continues to face significant, long-standing fiscal challenges rooted in decades of documented financial mismanagement and increasing, often unnoticed, debt since the late 1990s. This extensive report, significantly shaped by the work and input of Marion citizens, details the cumulative crisis, focusing on the Auditor’s office since 1999. MarionWatch aims to inform residents about the issues’ deep origins, empowering them for future decisions, as many were unaware of the problem’s multi-decade history. Following a long-standing practice via its community action network, MarionWatch shared article drafts with numerous citizens for review before publication. The investigation reveals persistent oversight and planning failures impacting services and public trust. Meaningful recovery requires fundamental transparency, accountability, and long-term planning. Informed citizen engagement, including attending city council meetings, is vital for building a stable future.
A Quick Look: Marion’s Auditor Office: A Decades-Long Disaster Zone (Full Investigation Coming Soon)
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The Marion, Ohio, Auditor’s office faces a financial storm, with current Auditor Meginness accused of misappropriating funds and concealing IRS penalties. This follows years of financial mismanagement, including a predecessor’s resignation and issues dating back to 1999. Persistent failures raise questions about systemic weaknesses and the need for lasting reforms. MarionWatch will release its Auditor Investigative report soon!
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Ultimately, ensuring council adheres to these principles may require sustained public engagement. Marion Watch encourages residents to attend future meetings – because if we, the people, do not speak up now, our grounds to complain about what happens next are diminished.
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This analysis examines the legality of excluding a Marion, Ohio council member from meetings due to whistleblower actions, and closing meetings to discuss related matters. A leaked audio recording features Twila Laing and Mayor Bill Collins discussing Councilman Jason Schaber’s exclusion and closing meetings, actions prompted by Schaber’s alleged whistleblowing on unlawful or unethical activities.
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0 Facebook 0 Twitter 0 Facebook-messenger 0 Whatsapp 0 Email Part I: Robert Landon: Timing, Resources, and Political Motivation in the 2019 Marion City Auditor Election Executive Summary This report examines the circumstances surrounding the criminal charges filed against Robert Landon during his successful 2019 campaign for City Auditor in Marion, Ohio. Landon, a Republican […]
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0 Facebook 0 Twitter 0 Facebook-messenger 0 Whatsapp 0 Email *A Note from the Senior Editors of Marion Watch: With deep concern for our community, we share the following information, compiled over months of careful work. Please know that gathering this was difficult, and there is more that needs to be understood. We believe these […]
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0 Facebook 0 Twitter 0 Facebook-messenger 0 Whatsapp 0 Email Justice Questioned in Marion County: An Investigation into Prosecutor Ray Grogan’s Case Handling Introduction: Scrutiny on the Marion County Prosecutor’s OfficeSetting the Scene Marion County, Ohio, a community known for its rich history and as the birthplace of Orville Redenbacher’s popcorn, operates within Ohio’s established […]