What’s next for coroner’s office?

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12:45 PM Friday, May 27, 2011

Another rock has been turned over in the halls of Butler County government and taxpayers can’t like what they have seen under the stone.

The county’s longtime elected coroner, Dr. Richard Burkhardt, has been publicly embarrassed — by his own admission — from revelations that came out recently from a trial involving the brother of former deputy coroner Dr. Terrance Conti.

According to reports, Paul Conti was accused of ordering high amounts of painkillers into his brother’s private medical practice. Paul Conti was acquitted on charges of illegally processing drug documents, theft and forgery, but the trial led to Burkhardt surrendering his federal license to write prescriptions, and Terrance Conti’s firing as deputy coroner and his giving up his license to practice medicine for six months. Both men were investigated by the state medical board and the federal Drug Enforcement Administration.

In surrendering his license, Burkhardt acknowledged that he had written prescriptions he did not properly document.

Adding to the embarrassment is that Terrance Conti was accused of writing excessive amounts of painkillers for Burkhardt’s wife, Marilyn, who is the executive administrator of the Butler County Coroner’s Office. (She reportedly suffers a back and neck condition.) Considering the nepotism allegations and investigations the county has faced, it has to be said: The coroner shouldn’t be employing and supervising his spouse.

Like almost nearly every elected officeholder in Butler County, Burkhardt is a Republican. So, if you’re keeping score, you can add this to the long list of mortifying and/or questionable deeds by current and former Republican county officeholders.

Burkhardt is 73, has had heart bypass surgery and strokes, and doesn’t need this embarrassment and grief at this stage in his long career. He’s been coroner here since 1980 and, even though he and his wife have both said he would like to retire, no successors appear to be on the horizon.

That reason, as well as deep respect for this longtime public servant, undoubtedly is the reason there’s no call for his resignation. GOP leader Dave Kern called the coroner “highly regarded.” Even the chair of the county’s Democratic Party, Jocelyn Bucaro, would not publicly criticize Burkhardt.

And we’re not going to condemn Burkhardt at this stage of his career either. However, it is clear that, since the job is a partisan elected position, both political parties need to find qualified candidates — the sooner the better — so that Burkhardt can retire with dignity. He was unopposed in the 2008 general election and his current term would expire soon after the November 2012 election.

This episode can also be added to the list of reasons for de-politicizing county government in Ohio — either through more consolidation of counties or reform of county government structure. We continue to question why — aside from the clout it gives political parties — Ohio clings to this antiquated system of government. The coroner’s office is the perfect example. Shouldn’t the county hire the best professional available for the job? When no one challenges the incumbent for 30 years, to whom is he/she really accountable?

Another point to consider: Is the Butler County Coroner’s Office now vulnerable to accusations that the office is mismanaged and its work may not be accurate? By all reports, this episode has not impacted the quality of work done there, but that might not stop an opportunistic defense attorney from trying to make that claim in order to help a client.

We respect and admire the long public service of Richard Burkhardt. However, all county offices should be operated in a manner above reproach. The recent revelations have created an unsavory perception about the coroner’s office that could potentially impact important cases and further disenchant voters. That can’t be allowed to continue indefinitely.

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