Former president of Delaware political media firm sentenced to community control

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A Columbus man who formerly was president of a political media company was fined and sentenced to two years of probation Wednesday in Delaware County Common Pleas Court.

Nicholas Everhart, 36, of Columbus, appeared in court Wednesday afternoon to be sentenced. He was convicted in July on a charge of unauthorized use of cable or telecommunications property, a fifth-degree felony. He is the former president of The Strategy Group For Media.

During the sentencing, Everhart also pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges — falsification and obstructing business.

Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Douglas Dumolt told Judge David Gormley that the misdemeanor charges dealt with Everhart’s deposition in a civil case in Franklin County. Dumolt said the case dealt with Everhart’s non-compete agreement and that, during a deposition, he said he had no contact with business clients or reporters, but evidence later determined that to be a lie.

The falsification charge and obstructing business charge were filed in Franklin County Common Pleas Court. Dumolt explained that when Everhart agreed to plead guilty to the charges, they were transferred to Delaware County so he could be sentenced on all charges at once.

Gormley sentenced Everhart to two years of community control and a 10-month prison sentence if he violates the community control terms.

Gormley also ordered Everhart to serve 50 hours of community service and pay several fines: $2,000 for the unauthorized use of cable or telecommunications property, $500 for the falsification charge and $300 for the obstructing business charge.

Everhart was prosecuted after he had asked a former coworker to transfer files after Everhart had been fired by The Strategy Group. Everhart said the files were family photos and videos. Prosecutors said business contacts were also transferred.

After deliberating for two hours after a July trial, a Delaware County jury found him guilty to one of two charges filed against him. He was acquitted on a second charge of unauthorized use of cable or telecommunications property that alleged he directed the same former coworker to access his boss’ email and find anything that might nullify Everhart’s non-compete agreement.

The trial lasted two days.

Two Franklin County civil cases were dismissed with prejudice after the parties came to an agreement.

The Strategy Group For Media is a subdivision of The Strategy Group Co.

Everhart
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2015/09/web1_Everhart-Mug1.jpgEverhart

By Glenn Battishill

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Glenn Battishill can be reached at 740-413-0903 or on Twitter @BattishillDG

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