7/18/18 – 5:37 A.M.

The lawyer for a Putnam County man accused of theft in office has filed a motion for his client to receive treatment in lieu of conviction in the case. The Lima News reports Kyle Unverferth’s attorney recently made the filing. The newspaper says treatment in lieu of conviction allows someone to plead guilty, but then dismisses the case after the person gets treatment.

The statute usually applies to someone under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or other types of addiction. Robert Smith of the Ohio Auditor’s Office tells the newspaper that in this case, the treatment would be for depression.

A hearing on the motion is set for September 13.

Authorities say Unverferth stole a laptop and computer tower that belonged to Union Township when he was the township’s fiscal officer.

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