Cuyahoga County’s Human Resources Chief Douglas Dykes resigned Monday, more than one year after being indicted on corruption charges
County Spokeswoman Mary Louise Madigan confirmed the resignation in a statement.
“Douglas Dykes, the county’s Chief Human Resource Officer, submitted his resignation, effective today, to Chief of Staff Bill Mason,” Madigan said. “Mr. Mason accepted his resignation. Holly Woods will be appointed interim until a permanent appointment can be made.
Prosecutors accused Dykes of converting improper moving expenses into a $15,000 signing bonus for the county's deputy chief information officer, James Hay. They alleged Dykes didn't receive approval for the signing bonus and lied to a county employee when he said the law director had okayed it.
Dykes pleaded not guilty. His trial is set for April.
The Ohio Attorney General’s office, which is investigating the corruption cases, served Dykes with a subpoena last week over a cashier’s check for $10,262 with the remitter’s name listed as James Hay. The state also requested any surveillance video from the transaction, which was received by the county Jan. 15.
Dykes was scheduled to appear in Common Pleas court regarding the matter Monday and again on Friday, according to court filings.
The county has not yet responded to ideastream’s request for comment on the cashier’s check.
Even through the investigation and initial plea, Dykes continued to serve as Human Resources chief for County Executive Armond Budish in an $180,000-per-year position until Monday’s resignation.
