A state ethics panel’s levy of a fine against Sheffield’s former constable who also served as a code enforcement officer in Glade and Pleasant townships is concerning on several levels.

The state Ethics Commission issued a decision recently fining Shawn Young $87,900 in a treble penalty as well as two additional $1,000 fines for not filling out required Statement of Financial Interest forms for 2021 and 2022 as constable; for 2020-2023 for his position as Sheffield and Pleasant code enforcement officer; and 2022-2024 for his position as Glade Township code enforcement officer. He has also been directed to complete accurate Statement of Financial Interest forms for those years and not to accept reimbursement, compensation or other payment from Sheffield, Pleasant or Glade townships that would represent a full or partial payment of the civil penalties of the $87,900 treble penalty.

The Ethics Commission finding recommended criminal charges be filed. But after reading the commission’s findings we wonder what else may be out there. What we know is bad enough. Someone acting with the weight of the law behind him withdrew code citations in exchange for ownership of the properties. Then, as owner, that same official didn’t cite the property he owned for the code violations he had previously cited with threats to take the prior property owners to court. Much like the recently concluded case involving Warren County’s former chief detective, the ethics charges brought against Young deserve further investigation to determine if the incidents the ethics panel ruled upon are the only improprieties Young may have committed in his official duties or if what is now known is only the tip of the proverbial iceberg.

Investigations take time. It takes no time, however, for all layers of government in Warren County to learn a lesson from the Ethics Commission’s investigation. Local governments need to be careful with whom they’re entrusting enforcement authority of local laws and codes. Just as important is the need to be sure that those who are enforcing our laws and codes are treating people fairly and behaving properly – including filing required state forms – once they’re hired.

What happened over the past couple of years in Sheffield Township needs to be a wake-up call for the rest of Warren County’s governments.