COLUMBUS — The state of Ohio took the first steps this morning to terminate the employment of a fire safety inspector in the State Fire Marshal’s Office after he pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges including dereliction of duty on Friday.
Anthony Castelvetere, of Lexington, was indicted in Richland County on three counts of dereliction of duty and one count each of tampering with records, theft, theft in office and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
Friday’s guilty plea included only one count of dereliction of duty and one count of unauthorized use of a vehicle. He was fined $1,750 and required to pay $3,000 in restitution to the state.
Prosecutors believed Castelvetere was operating a private business while on the clock for the state.
In a press release issued Friday, Ohio Director of Commerce David Goodman, while happy with the conviction, was frustrated Castelvetere was not required to resign his position with the State Fire Marshal’s Office as part of the deal.
