Toledo, OH – A former Sylvania Township police officer has been indicted on charges of insurance fraud and theft in office after allegedly adding his second wife to his health insurance plan, despite their marriage being invalid. The Lucas County grand jury handed down the indictment on February 18, 2025, following an investigation by the state auditor’s office.
Robert Austin, who served as a police officer in the township, is accused of improperly listing his second wife on his health insurance coverage, resulting in overpayments totaling nearly $70,000. According to the Ohio State Auditor’s office, Austin was married to his first wife until May 2015 but had married another woman in November 2014 while still legally married to his first wife. This second marriage, performed in Las Vegas, was considered invalid because his first marriage had not yet been dissolved.
Austin then submitted a request to change his health insurance records to include his second wife as a dependent. The township approved the change, leading to the township providing health coverage for the second wife from 2016 through May 2023, at a total cost of approximately $135,000. However, an audit later revealed that the second wife was not eligible for coverage, as the marriage was not legally valid at the time of the request.
The auditor’s office issued a finding for recovery in October 2024, demanding the return of nearly $70,000 in overpaid premiums. The charges against Austin include insurance fraud and theft in office, both of which carry significant legal consequences.
This case sheds light on the vulnerabilities in the system that allowed Austin to secure health insurance coverage for someone not eligible, costing taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars. The ongoing legal proceedings will determine the outcome of the charges, with potential ramifications for the former officer if convicted.