Linda Harris’ trial continues — Former Jefferson County Health Administrator Annette Stewart will look into the casework with her attorney, Dennis McNamara, on Wednesday.

STEUBENVILLE — A former administrator of the Jefferson County Health Department is accused of giving her own pay raise and falsifying official records to cover it up, telling a Jefferson County Common Petitions Court jury Wednesday that she He claimed to have done only what he was told.

Annette Stewart has been charged with office theft, falsification of records, falsification of records and unlawful interest in public contracts, which her boss, the longtime chairman of the board of directors, the late Frank L. Dr. Petrola, and former Health District Commissioner J. Petrola, who amended the minutes of the April 25, 2017 board meeting stating that Dr. Frank was a significant pay raise of $12 an hour.

Prosecutors allege Stewart was able to pocket just over $63,000 in unauthorized department funds.

According to the indictment, Stewart “Unwittingly or without approval, falsified records to increase her salary.” of the Health Commission. Prosecutors also allege that in October 2017 she used her position as manager to get her son a job.

“I was instructed to correct the minutes and insert the information there.” Stewart told jurors. “I even asked where to put it.”

Stewart said she was at a board meeting on April 25, 2017, but was nervous and left the room without anyone noticing because of a toilet emergency. She said she was unaware of the raise until she prepared to send out her minutes just before the board meeting in May, she added. “If the chairman asks you to do something, you do it.”

“Frank L. …asked me why my (salary raise) wasn’t there.” she said. “I told him I wasn’t there… I didn’t know about it. I don’t think people knew I left the board.

The Herald Star article about the conference did not mention Stewart’s salary increase, but did detail the election of Frank J. Petrola as commissioner.

Frank L. Petrola died in 2020, two years before Stewart’s indictment, and his cousin Frank J. Petrola is unable to testify. “So all we have is your word.” Assistant Attorney General Anthony Shilo argued and admitted to Stewart that he never thanked the board members for raising their pay or called attention to the changes he made to the minutes. I was allowed to.

Shiloh also pointed out discrepancies in the amounts he said Stewart paid for himself, listing: “$40.01” some notes and “Other $42.01” But she said that this discrepancy was someone else’s clerical error and that her son “Registered hygienist”.

“A $25,000 raise didn’t make me perfect, and it didn’t make anyone perfect.” Stewart responded, admitting that his son had no degree or experience in the field and was an unclassified seasonal employee.

“I didn’t approve (that)” Stewart said.

She also said it was not her idea to ban other employees accustomed to attending board meetings, and sent the memo to the jury. “As instructed by Dr. Petrola.”

When defense attorney Dennis McNamara asked Stewart if she ever knowingly disqualified or falsified records, she replied: “No.” she also claimed that she would “I never hired my son. I never asked anyone to hire my son.” He told the jury that it was Frank J. Petrola who made the decision before he knew it was being considered.

Earlier in the day, McNamara asked registered hygienist Carla Gampola about the unrest within the staff after Stewart took power, and was upset to learn that other staff were being treated at out-of-state meetings. I asked her if she was just doing it, but she said she couldn’t go. “Somebody has to stay behind.”

“Do what your boss says” Gampola replied to Juror Stewart: “I wasn’t my everyday boss, but when she told me to do something, I did it.”

After reviewing timesheets, department salaries, and other documents, auditor Melissa Barnett told jurors there was no record of her son, Jesse Cook, applying for the job.

“They don’t have[documentation]that he interviewed or applied.” For a job in the health sector, she said. “The only thing we[found]is a letter filed with the auditor.” Announced joining the staff.

“It was Annette Stewart[from]. That was her job.” Burnett, who testified through Zoom because of the illness, said.

Prosecutors questioned Stewart’s husband, Carl, about the marital debt before his wife’s raise. Stewart, who was a SVRTA bus driver before being diagnosed with advanced COPD, said: “We lived a normal life. I don’t understand the meaning of a lot of debt.”

“We had the credit card that paid for it” He admitted that he had to quit his job due to his health and had no health benefits or personal income until his disability was recognized a year later. He admitted that his deceased son-in-law had a substance abuse disorder, but told jurors they found no drugs in his system.