Greene County News Report

XENIA — A Xenia City Council inquiry into the alleged actions of two city councilmen will resume 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 31.

John Caupp and Dale Louderback, the subjects of the inquiry, have been accused by council of violating the city charter when they announced they planned to invest in an estimated $7 million family entertainment center. They also announced they had accepted employment opportunities with the developer.

The inquiry was originally scheduled for Aug. 19-20, but it did not conclude by the agreed-upon 10 p.m. cutoff time Aug. 20. Due to scheduling conflicts, Aug. 31 was the next available date for attorneys for both sides. Council has heard testimony thus far from Xenia City Council President Mike Engle as well as some testimony from city council vice-president Josh Long.

If the inquiry does not end Aug. 31, it could be late September before it continues due to more scheduling concerns, according to Donald Brey, legal counsel for Caupp and Louderback.

Once the proceedings finish, council could vote to determine if the city charter was violated and the pair could be removed from council. The Ohio Ethics Commission is also investigating the matter but has made no public comment.

The inquiry is open to the public however no public comment will be accepted by council.