ODOT employee submitted false details for project awarded $2 million

OHIO — The Ohio Inspector General’s Office said it has concluded an investigation about an Ohio Department of Transportation employee who submitted false information on a federal funding application that ended up being awarded $2 million.

The Ohio Inspector General’s Office was made aware of the false information after a complaint was submitted on Feb. 21, 2024, alleging that the co-sponsors of a project to build a roundabout in Medina County had submitted false information on the application.

The application was submitted to a roadway program that pays for eligible project costs, including construction costs.

The complaint listed ODOT and the Medina County Engineer’s Office.

The Ohio Inspector General’s Office then opened an investigation, which found ODOT employee Scott Ockunzzi had edited the application to change the intersection’s existing level of service to an “F,” which is the worst rating. The Ohio Inspector General’s Office said a 2019 study showed that the intersection actually had a “D” rating in the morning and a “C” rating in the evening.

The Ohio Inspector General’s Office said Ockunzzi admitted to editing the application despite knowing the correct ratings. Ockunzzi said he thought he was told to use the “F” rating, but he didn’t say who told him to do that.

Overall, investigators found “reasonable cause to believe a wrongdoing occurred,” stating Ockunzzi violated ODOT policies.

For more information about the investigation, click here.