A former Village of McArthur utility clerk was sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to stealing water and sewer bill payments.
Cathy Stoughton was also ordered to pay $125,557.29 in restitution. Her state retirement account will be liquidated to help cover the amount.
Vinton County Common Pleas Court imposed the sentence Monday. Stoughton pleaded guilty to felony theft in office, felony tampering with records, and misdemeanor soliciting improper compensation.
The Ohio Auditor of State’s Special Investigations Unit opened the case in March 2024 after a routine village financial audit found discrepancies. Stoughton worked as utility clerk from January 2004 until she resigned in July 2025. She was solely responsible for preparing bills and collecting, posting, and depositing payments. Investigators found she failed to deposit portions of payments from August 2018 through June 2025.
She was indicted in August 2025 and pleaded guilty in February 2026.
Key facts
• Sentence: 18 months in prison
• Restitution: $125,557.29
• Period of undeposited payments: August 2018–June 2025
• Tenure: January 2004–July 2025
• Investigation started after March 2024 audit findings
The Auditor of State’s office noted its Special Investigations Unit has assisted in 168 convictions and more than $18 million in restitution since 2019.
