The Violet Township Board of Trustees and administration are aware that a criminal charge has been brought against Violet Township Fiscal Officer Vanessa Niekamp. We have been apprised that the allegations supporting the misdemeanor criminal charge does not involve actions by Ms. Niekamp in her role as the Township's Fiscal Officer.
Ohio law does not allow the Board of Township trustees to remove or suspend a fiscal officer for a misdemeanor criminal charge - it is not a disqualifying offense in O.R.C. Chapter 2961. This means the Board of Township Trustees lacks legal standing to remove Ms. Niekamp from her elected office.
The Board of Township Trustees is continuing to review this matter with the assistance of its legal counsel.
At 09:08 AM on Friday, August 8, 2025 the Township received an email from Ms. Niekamp, stating:
At this time, I have no intention of resigning from Violet Township. I remain committed to fulfilling my duties with the same passion and dedication as I have for the past 5 years.