21 News has confirmed that the Special Investigations Unit of the Ohio Auditor's office is looking into possible irregularities involving Vienna Township's finances. 

A spokesperson for the auditor responded to an email inquiry from 21 News following a number of calls to our newsroom regarding various issues involving delays in paychecks for some township employees, as well as other concerns. 

"The Auditor of State’s Special Investigations Unit has received complaints, is aware of the situation, and is looking into the matter. We will have no further comment at this time," the emailed response from the spokesperson said. 

21 News first reported Feb. 14  that some employees were not paid on time, which trustee Phil Pegg blamed on the transition to a new fiscal officer, saying the issue had been corrected and money would be available by the end of the day. 

This week, on Feb. 20, 21 News reported that Vienna township trustees had abruptly ordered the fire department to make major cuts in their manpower, reducing operations to no more than two full-time employees at any given time, with some periods with no employees on staff at all. Fire Chief Rich Brannon said he was taken by surprise by the order and that trustees had given no explanation for the reduction. 

No trustee would provide any information as to the reasoning behind the order despite repeated attempts to reach them. 

Trustees have scheduled a special meeting for Thursday evening, at which time they are expected to go into an executive session to  "discuss the township finances.and related matters and to meet with our attorney in executive
session to consider the dismissal of public employees. Following the executive session, it is anticipated that there will be action taken and a statement given," a meeting notice sent out Tuesday states. 

It's not clear at this time what issues trustees plan to address at that meeting .

21 News has reached out to all three township trustees, Robert Root, Phil Pegg and Richard Dascenzo, to find out what action trustees plan to take. This story will be updated if and when any of them respond.