Editing Galion, Ohio (section)

===2005 financial scandal===
In 2005, Galion, Ohio, faced a major financial scandal when its former finance director, William Bauer, confessed to embezzling at least $87,000 from the city. Bauer’s mismanagement left the town $11 million in debt, resulting in significant cuts to city services. Programs such as the D.A.R.E. antidrug initiative were eliminated, police cruisers and computers were sold, and road projects were scrapped. Residents faced higher taxes and utility costs, while volunteers stepped in to clean parks and fund community events.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |date=August 9, 2005 |title=Ohio Town Struggles With Legacy of a Duly Appointed Thief |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/09/us/ohio-town-struggles-with-legacy-of-a-duly-appointed-thief.html |access-date=September 15, 2024 |work=The New York Times |pages=15}}</ref>

Bauer, who had been finance director since 1985, admitted to stealing money due to a gambling addiction and credit card problems. He attempted suicide before being sentenced and was blinded in the attempt. Bauer later pleaded guilty to five counts of embezzlement, avoiding a trial that would have revealed more details of his crimes. Despite his confession, questions about where the stolen funds went remained unanswered.<ref name=":5" />

The State Auditor placed Galion in fiscal emergency, appointing a board to help the city recover financially, which was expected to take five years. City officials, who trusted Bauer due to his longstanding reputation, implemented new financial safeguards to prevent future fraud.<ref name=":5" />