University Heights financial adviser put on leave pending investigation

University Heights City Council voted to put the city’s financial advisor, Arman R. Ochoa, on unpaid administrative leave on June 2, pending an investigation into the possible misappropriation of public funds.

The special prosecutor for the case, Johnathan Greenberg, said he could not offer details because his office is still in the process of gathering information. Greenberg expects to complete the investigation in a “few weeks.”

University Height Mayor Beryl Rothschild said she had been instructed not to comment on the ongoing investigation, although she said Ochoa handles $12 million in public finds per year as part of his duties.

Michael Goldberg, Ochoa’s defense attonrney, said his client is cooperating with the investigation.  “He’s been employed for 12 years and I don’t think there’s ever been a problem with his performance,” he said.

Goldberg said he and his client are “waiting to see what the results of the investigation are” and that Ochoa will “continue to cooperate” with authorities.

Meanwhile, Highland Heights Finance Director Anthony Ianiro will temporarily replace Ochoa as the city’s interim part-time financial director. City Council appointed Ianiro to the job during a special session June 3.

Kaitlin Bushinski is a summer intern with FutureHeights and the Heights Observer.