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LISBON -- A trial to the bench has been set May 13, 2024 in the complaint that remains against Ohio Clean Water Fund founder Michael Peppel of Leetonia for the alleged sham charity he formed to fundraise for East Palestine.
A telephone conference was held last week between the attorneys for Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and counsel for Peppel with Columbiana County Common Pleas Court Judge Scott Washam. A final pretrial was set for 1 p.m. April 25, 2024.
Washam will review the case on July 10. Deadlines were also set for discovery and submission of any motions for summary judgment.
A voluntary dismissal of the lawsuit against the Ohio Clean Water Fund was filed by Yost in June. Yost also issued a press release in June detailing the terms of the lawsuit settlement with the Ohio Clean Water Fund. That settlement did not include Peppel.
According to the settlement terms, Ohio Clean Water Fund must dissolve and pay $131,904 in restitution and civil penalties.
The lawsuit was filed April 10 in Common Pleas Court by Yost against the Ohio Clean Water Fund and Peppel, claiming that the non-profit raised $141,183 from donors, with $91,769 going to administrative fees and only $10,000 from the $35,295 remaining going to Second Harvest Food Bank. Peppel and Ohio Clean Water Fund claimed to be representing Second Harvest Food Bank while soliciting the donations to benefit East Palestine, site of a Feb. 3 train derailment, but that was not the case.
The food bank had not given permission to the group to raise funds on its behalf.
Washam had already approved a preliminary injunction in the case against Ohio Clean Water Fund and Peppel. The press release had said the Attorney General's Office was working on an agreement "that will protect the charitable sector from any similar misconduct by Peppel and others involved in this scheme."
mgreier@mojonews.com