Following months of persistent complaints regarding foul-smelling and “dirty” water, the Ohio EPA conducted a site visit at the Aqua Ohio Marion facility on March 3, 2026. While officials continue to maintain that the water is “safe to drink,” the growing divide between corporate assurances and the reality at the tap has left the citizenry […]
Written by marionwatch-investigates
The case of 80‑year‑old Esther Fuson has moved into its final chapter, bringing long‑awaited clarity to one of Marion County’s most disturbing elder‑neglect investigations. After months of evidence gathering, medical findings, and public outrage, prosecutors have secured guilty pleas from the two people responsible for her care — her son, James Fuson, and his wife, […]
Written by marionwatch-investigates
The recent sentencing of Tommy Lee Owens to 27 to 32.5 years in prison has sparked significant debate in Marion regarding “over-sentencing.” To many, three decades for drug-related charges feels extreme; however, a deep dive into Ohio’s Revised Code and the evidence presented in Judge Matthew P. Frericks’ courtroom reveals a strict, textbook application of […]
Written by marionwatch-investigates
Editor’s Note Following a review of public records and community feedback, Marion Watch has clarified that the individual featured in this report is the 35-year-old Tommy Lee Owens (born c. 1990–1991).This individual is distinct from older regional subjects of the same name. We have updated our records to ensure this distinction is clear and that […]
Written by marionwatch-investigates
The Marion City Council meeting on February 23, 2026, served as a public post-mortem for a fiscal crisis decades in the making. While the official agenda focused on Ordinance 2026-18—a proposal to repeal municipal income tax credits—the underlying tension revealed a deep-seated rot in city governance. Consistent with long-term investigative reporting from MarionWatch.com, the city’s […]
Written by marionwatch-investigates
Before out-of-state syndicates arrived, the foundation of Marion’s justice system was already under strain. Throughout the early 2000s, the Marion Watch Team including retired Sheriff Detective Dennis Potts, and the Citizen Action Network (CAN) documented a growing disconnect between law enforcement conduct and constitutional protections. A defining flashpoint was the scrutiny surrounding Detective David Troutman […]
Written by marionwatch-investigates
Marion County Sheriff Matt Bayles issued a scathing public statement this week, defending his office’s investigation into Brendan Damron and accusing the defense of attempting to “victim blame” through social media and the press. Background: The Arrest of Brendan Damron Brendan Damron, 24, a former officer with the Marion Police Department, was arrested in February […]
Written by Swamp.Fox
WHO’S TO BLAME? Following a well-publicized, scandalous two-year legal ordeal, the people of the city of Marion are engaged in the usual finger pointing that follows in the wake of such incidents. Despite losing his job and suffering a severe loss of reputation in the community, former Democratic City Councilman Ayers Ratliff was found not […]
Written by marionwatch-investigates
After nearly two years and eight months, former Marion City Councilman Ayers Ratliff (D-2nd Ward) is finally being brought in front of a jury of his peers to face justice or vindication. Facing counts of rape, abduction, and gross sexual imposition going back to a May 2023 allegation involving a close juvenile family member, the […]
Written by marionwatch-investigates
On January 13, 2026, a significant escalation in the oversight of Marion’s finances occurred as three City Council members filed sworn affidavits with the Ohio Auditor of State (AOS). These filings allege systemic accounting failures and improper financial conduct by City Auditor Miranda Meginness, supported by independent consultant findings of a $2.4–$2.5 million cross-fund discrepancy […]
Written by marionwatch-investigates
A local legal battle has pulled back the curtain on serious financial and procedural concerns within Marion County government. Case 2025-CV-0441, Telly Haynes v. Ray Grogan, involves allegations of “willful neglect” linked to a multimillion-dollar financial crisis and a potential cover-up of missing legal bonds. On January 9, 2026, Judge Matthew P. Frericks ruled that […]
Written by marionwatch-investigates
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. Set to be sworn into office on January 1, 2026, […]
Written by marionwatch-investigates
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 controls—were either disabled and intentionally misconfigured. **Clarification added 11/26/25: At […]
Written by marionwatch-investigates
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 extensive list of organizations—including hundreds of police departments, sheriff’s offices, […]
Written by marionwatch-investigates
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. The override was only disabled on October 27, 2025, after […]
Written by marionwatch-investigates
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 a ghost. For 19 consecutive years, its members were unknown, […]
Written by marionwatch-investigates
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 in full. Following the press release, we are providing elaboration […]
Written by marionwatch-investigates
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 government in a state of severe operational failure. A predictable […]
Written by marionwatch-investigates
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 members were unknown, it held no recorded meetings, and it […]
Written by marionwatch-investigates
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 do we think this? In the computer security world, there’s […]
Written by marionwatch-investigates
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 Forensic IT Audit be conducted from the installation of the […]
Written by marionwatch-investigates
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 box. Most elected officials would serve for one or two […]
Written by marionwatch-investigates
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 findings for recovery or other citations by the Ohio Auditor […]
Written by marionwatch-investigates
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, escalating a months-long conflict over unapproved spending and other violations. […]
Written by r-landon
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. It established a simple yet world-changing truth: no one, not […]
Written by Swamp.Fox
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 in Morrow County for her murder, had a close connection […]
Written by marionwatch-investigates
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 serving as a highly specialized 34 Delta (Data Processing Equipment […]
Written by Swamp.Fox
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 Street, in order to purchase formula for her six-month-old baby […]
Written by marionwatch-investigates
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 articles. These formal records, combined with the input of community […]
Written by marionwatch-investigates
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 that finances are the top driver for the charter, and […]
Written by marionwatch-investigates
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 spoken with since December. During a recent appearance on The […]
Written by marionwatch-investigates
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 pattern of vulnerability and criminal concealment known as “Silent Sabotage.” […]
Written by r-landon
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 operate under general state law, which often doesn’t reflect the […]
Written by marionwatch-investigates
Is Marion County legal system fundamentally broken?
Written by marionwatch-investigates
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.
Written by marionwatch-investigates
Teen recants rape claims as judge questions prosecutor’s case, while community rallies for Ratliff.
Written by marionwatch-investigates
The indictment of Councilman Ratliff and his wife has fractured public perception, creating two powerful and opposing narratives.
Written by marionwatch-investigates
A Marion councilman and his wife face felony charges in a controversial case involving recanted testimony and questionable prosecutorial conduct.
Written by marionwatch-investigates
Robert Landon III breaks his silence on Auditor issues, personal struggles, transparency, ethics, accountability.
Written by marionwatch-investigates
Marion’s charter journey demands financial overhaul and forensic IT audit to secure transparent governance, addressing persistent vulnerabilities and cyber threats.
Written by marionwatch-investigates
Marion’s Auditor faces IT failures, data falsification, and legal woes, eroding public trust and costing taxpayers.
Written by marionwatch-investigates
This sequence of events, particularly the indictment following a recantation from a vulnerable individual, raises profound ethical and legal concerns.
Written by marionwatch-investigates
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 marionwatch-investigates
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 marionwatch-investigates
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.
Written by marionwatch-investigates
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.
Written by marionwatch-investigates
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.
Written by marionwatch-investigates
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 marionwatch-investigates
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)
Written by marionwatch-investigates
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!
Written by marionwatch-investigates
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.
Written by marionwatch-investigates
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.
Written by marionwatch-investigates
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 candidate, was charged with misdemeanor election law violations concerning the […]
Written by marionwatch-investigates
*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 sensitive issues must be brought into the light with compassion, […]
Written by marionwatch-investigates
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 legal framework.1 Central to its local justice system is the […]