Public commenter alleges $13 million in 'illegal bond purchases'; commissioners decline to respond because of pending lawsuit

Ezra Mitchell used his public-comment time to press Delaware County officials for explanations of how taxpayer funds are protected and to describe what he called numerous procurement irregularities. "I've documented over $13,000,000 in illegal bond purchases, no IAC approval, no public oversight," Mitchell said during the meeting's public-comment period.

Mitchell addressed the board with his 10-year-old son present and asked basic questions about checks on county spending. A county official interrupted to caution the board about discussing pending litigation. "That lawsuit is still pending in federal court. My advice to the board is that you not respond to any questions in regard to the litigation," the official said, advising that public comment is not a question-and-answer forum.

Commissioners did not engage in a point-by-point reply at the meeting. Another county speaker said attorneys and county staff have responded to numerous public-records requests and provided documents in that process. The board moved on after closing the public-comment period; no formal inquiry or motion addressing Mitchell's allegations was made during the session.

The speaker who raised the allegations identified himself as Ezra Mitchell; the official who advised the board to refrain from responding did so on the record and cited the pending federal lawsuit as the reason the board should avoid informal comment. The county did not provide additional factual responses or supporting documents during the meeting.