ELEX DIRECTOR CHARGES 

A NOW FORMER CENTRAL OHIO ELECTIONS DIRECTOR HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH ALLEGEDY SEXUALLY ABUSING A MINOR
ACCORDING TO OHIO ATTORNEY GENERAL DAVE YOST'S OFFICE, 41-YEAR-OLD MATTHEW NICKLAS, WAS ARRESTED AFTER CIRCLEVILLE POLICE OFFICERS AND AGENTS FROM THE OHIO BUREAU OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS SPECIAL VICTIMS' UNIT CONDUCTED A SEARCH WARRANT AT HIS HOME. THE ABUSE ALLEGEDLY HAPPENED BEFORE BEING HIRED IN PICKAWAY COUNTY AS ELECTIONS DIRECTOR IN 2020. THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH REPORTS NICKLAS PLED NOT GUILTY TO CHARGES OF SEXUAL IMPOSITION IN CIRCLEVILLE MUNICIPAL COURT IN 2007. HE WAS FINED AND PUT ON TWO YEARS OF PROBATION INSTEAD OF SERVING JAIL TIME. THE PICKAWAY COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS SAYS NICKLAS WAS TERMINATED ON FRIDAY.