Haney pleads guilty to theft, improper compensation charges

Former Uhrichsville Mayor Mark Haney has pleaded guilty to charges of theft and soliciting improper compensation.

Haney entered the plea during a hearing Monday in Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Court.

The former mayor had originally been charged with one count of theft in office, a fourth-degree felony; two counts of tampering with records, a third-degree felony; and one count of soliciting improper compensation, a first-degree misdemeanor.

As part of a plea agreement, the state reduced the theft in office charge to theft, a fifth-degree felony, and dropped the tampering with records charges.

Officials with the city of Uhrichsville were consulted in the decision. The state will be asking for compensation for the city’s loss.

Judge Michael Ernest told Haney that the theft charge carries a possible sentence of six to 12 months in prison and a fine of up to $2,500. The soliciting improper compensation charge carries a jail sentence of up to 180 days and a $1,000 fine.

However, the state is requesting that Haney be placed on probation.

Haney, who served one term as mayor from 2019 to 2023, was indicted by the Tuscarawas County grand jury in July 2025 on the original four charges.

The Auditor of State’s Special Investigations Unit launched an investigation in January 2024 after receiving a complaint alleging Haney improperly received reimbursements for meals, mileage and other purchases and that he had used city credit cards on personal purchases.

Sentencing has been scheduled for 1 p.m. May 18.