$65K Of Property Allegedly Stolen By Strongsville Schools Foreman

STRONGSVILLE, OH — An indictment has been filed against a former Strongsville City Schools foreman who is accused of stealing $65,000 of district property. Law enforcement officials claim they found dozens of high-priced items at the foreman's house.

Robert Schwerman, a former maintenance foreman, was indicted by a Cuyahoga County grand jury on thenft in office and tampering with records charges, both third-degree felonies. A search warrant was executed at Schwerman's house in Lorain County, where officials say they found much of the stolen property, including an upgraded John Deere utility vehicle valued at $23,600.

“It’s hard to deny the crime when your backyard is overflowing with evidence,” Auditor Dave Yost said. “This man was shameless. He treated the school district like his exclusive personal home improvement store – a new home generator, a utility shed, a furnace, air conditioner and water heater. Nothing was off limits, apparently.”

The investigation into Schwerman started in 2017 after the Auditor of State's Public Integrity Assurance Team (PIAT) after an anonymous tip came in alleging that he stole district property and bought equipment through the district for personal use.

“This individual systematically and brazenly took anything he could get his hands on,” said Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley. “The hard-working citizens and students of Strongsville deserve better.”

The school district released a statement last week and said it would not comment further on the investigation. The statement read: "The District has and will continue to work closely with the Ohio Auditor of the State's office to recover all of the stolen material goods, as well as recoup all financial losses. Much of the district property was recovered today."

O'Malley's office said the following property was allegedly recovered from Schwerman's home:

• Generator ($3,912)
• Thermal camera ($3,775)
• Snow plow ($3,500)
• Air conditioner ($2,545)
• Utility shed ($2,500)
• Furnace ($1,792)
• Water heater ($1,557)
• Carport ($901)
• Air purifier ($675)

Pictures of some of the allegedly stolen property can be seen by clicking here.

Photo from Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office