Ohio county staffer posts attack on local reporter; state AG to investigate

Advertiser-Tribune reporter Kayla Trevino and her journalistic integrity were attacked in an article published on the government website for Seneca County, Ohio, on Oct. 14, 2024. Nearly two weeks later, the county prosecutor asked Ohio’s attorney general to investigate the incident for possible misuse of government resources.

The newspaper reported that Sheri Trusty, a media relations coordinator for the county, authored an article attacking Trevino for her coverage of a child custody dispute involving Seneca County Commissioner Bill Frankart.

The article — which included a photo of Trevino — accused the journalist of going on a “witch hunt,” alleging that she manufactured or failed to verify facts in her reporting and did not provide Frankart sufficient time to respond before publishing.

“Trevino’s story is a failed exposé marked by faulty journalism and sensationalism and is a little-disguised attempt to destroy the reputation of one of Seneca County’s most respected and dedicated elected officials, Commissioner Bill Frankart,” Trusty wrote. “In the end, Trevino’s lack of integrity in this story may impact the well-being of a child.”

Trusty’s article was removed from the county website sometime the following day.

The Advertiser-Tribune defended Trevino and her article, writing that her report was “entirely based on allegations in police reports and court records.”

“Kayla is a hardworking professional. She was very careful with how she approached this news story, and is careful with all stories she covers,” Jeremy Speer, the newspaper’s publisher, said. “A good reporter is a value to a community and Kayla is a good and trusted reporter.”

Local news website TiffinOhio.net reported that the publication of Trusty’s article on the county’s government website — typically reserved for public information and announcements — was alarming and raised questions about whether county resources had been misused developing and publishing it.

In an editorial published Oct. 19, the Advertiser-Tribune called on Seneca County Prosecutor Derek DeVine to launch or ask for an independent investigation.

“The article attacking the integrity and motives of the A-T’s reporter was inaccurate and offensive, designed, it seems, to intimidate her and prevent her from doing her job,” the editorial said. “This was entirely inappropriate, in our view, and DeVine and commissioners must take immediate action to ensure that county resources are never again misused in this way to attack anyone, ever.”

On Oct. 23, DeVine asked Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost to assign state agents to investigate the issue and for the AG’s office to serve as special prosecutor, in light of DeVine’s conflict of interest as the legal representative for the county’s board of commissioners, the Advertiser-Tribune reported.

The newspaper expressed cautious optimism about the decision.

“Nobody is looking for the proverbial pound of flesh,” the editorial board said. “But, in our view, it is an important question whether county resources were used to attack a reporter because a county official did not like what was being reported. If that did happen, steps must be taken to ensure it doesn’t happen again.”