Politics & Government

Gov. John Kasich Reduces Kelley Williams-Bolar Sentence to Misdemeanors

Kasich reaches decision after Ohio Parole Board suggests no reduction in sentence in Copley-Fairlawn Schools residency case.

Thanks to a ruling by Ohio Gov. John Kasich, the Akron woman convicted of tampering with records to send her children to now has misdemeanors on her record, not felonies.

The governor's decision effectively overrules the conviction of two third-degree felonies in Summit County Common Pleas Court in January, and a recommendation by the this week that 's sentence not be reduced in any way.

Kasich said in a news release: “When I first heard about this situation, it seemed to me that the penalty was excessive for the offense. In addition, the penalty could exclude her from certain economic opportunities for the rest of her life.  No one should interpret this as a pass—it’s a second chance," Kasich said.

Find out what's happening in Fairlawn-Bathwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Williams-Bolar had argued in her parole board hearing that the felony convictions would keep her from becoming a teacher. Assistant Summit County Prosecutors that argued the case for the state pointed out that Williams-Bolar was not near completing requirements for a degree.

Williams-Bolar was originally of falsifying information so that she could send her children to Copley-Fairlawn City Schools instead of Akron Public Schools, the district in which she lived.

Find out what's happening in Fairlawn-Bathwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Kasich’s commutation specifies that Williams-Bolar’s sentence is reduced to not more than 180 days in jail—the maximum penalty for a first-degree misdemeanor—and retains the Court’s original conditions for probation and community service.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Fairlawn-Bath