Compiled from staff and wire reports

Police investigate after man, 46, dies

HAMILTON - Authorities are investigating a possible homicide.

A 46-year-old Hamilton man died Wednesday, more than three weeks after he apparently was struck in the head with a pool cue.

A police report classifies the death of Tony Richardson as a homicide. The Butler County Coroner's Office also is investigating.

Mr. Richardson was pronounced dead at Mercy Hospital Fairfield's emergency room Wednesday evening after being brought from Tri-County Extended Care Center, police said.

The victim's brother, Gary Richardson, filed a police report Nov. 23, alleging that felonious assault had been committed against Tony Richardson 11 days earlier. Gary Richardson told police that a person admitted the assault.

Dog wounded during drug suspect's arrest

Cincinnati police shot and wounded a dog Wednesday night while chasing a suspected drug dealer in Madisonville.

Officers with District 2's Violent Crime Squad and the Robbery Task Force approached a man they had scheduled to meet for a drug buy. David Howard, 19, ran from them, kicking in the door of an Erie Avenue apartment and hiding inside.

Officers followed, and were met by Mustafa, a chow owned by Jerome Abernathy, who lived in the apartment but was not a suspect in the drug investigation. Police said Officer Steve Lawson ordered the dog to stop, but the dog continued to charge. He fired one shot.

Officers found Mr. Howard hiding behind a chair and handcuffed him after a brief struggle. He was charged with burglary, drug trafficking, drug possession, resisting arrest and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. Officers saw him throw crack cocaine behind the couch, court records said.

Mustafa was expected to go home today, according to Grady Veterinary Hospital in Springfield Township.The wound was superficial, the veterinarian said, requiring a couple of stitches and some antibiotics.

Man indicted; loan scheme is alleged

A Cincinnati man was indicted by a federal grand jury Thursday on charges of running a loan scheme that federal authorities say cost investors about $1.6 million.

Paul M. LaLonde, 55, was charged with conspiracy and wire fraud in connection with the "credit enhancement" operation. A Maryland man, Richard G. Liggett, 51, was indicted on the same charges.

U.S. Attorney Gregory Lockhart said the FBI and the Internal Revenue Service determined that the men began the wire fraud scheme in 1994.

Prosecutors say investors were told they could "rent" certificates of deposit, which then could be used to secure loans for projects such as a riverboat casino, golf resort communities, schools and movies. Mr. LaLonde is accused of using the investors' money for three luxury cars, a country club membership and a down payment on a Florida home.

Prosecutors say Mr. LaLonde and Mr. Liggett participated in the scheme with Thomas McGhee, 71, of Swanton, Ohio, a former securities broker who was sentenced to 21 months in prison in October.

Community center to hold fund-raiser

A Holiday Crystal fund raiser will be held Saturday at the North Avondale Community Center to benefit it and the North Avondale Neighborhood Association..

Crystal and giftware, cookware, Christmas ornaments, candles and baby and wedding gifts range from $9.95 to $223.

The fund-raiser will be held 2-4 p.m. at the community center, 617 Clinton Springs Ave.

For information, call 221-6166.

Tax preparer admits forms were fraudulent

A Hamilton woman pleaded guilty Thursday to charges of preparing false tax returns that have cost the government nearly $1 million since 1994.

Nancy Wallace, 55, entered the plea before U.S. District Judge S. Arthur Spiegel. She faces up to eight years in prison.

U.S. Attorney Gregory Lockhart said Ms. Wallace admitted that she conspired with her clients and others to prevent the Internal Revenue Service from identifying nearly $941,000 in taxes.

Federal prosecutors say Ms. Wallace and her clients created false business and charitable expense deductions on income tax returns, which were then filed with the IRS.

Meetings slated on joining fire district

NEWTOWN - Village Council has scheduled a series of special meetings to discuss joining the Fairfax/Madison Place Joint Fire-Rescue Department.

Council will hold a regular meeting Tuesday, and special meetings on Dec. 16 and 19.

Council last month agreed to ask for membership in the district. That request was approved by the fire district's board on Wednesday. Newtown and the district are ironing out details and drawing up a contract.

Council will have the final say on the contract agreement.

If the village joins the district, it would mean the end of Newtown's fire department.

Mayor fires village's two street workers

NEW MIAMI - Mayor Katherine Rumph-Butler fired the village's two street workers Thursday for insubordination.

One of the fired workers, Robert Isaac Jr., showed up a a Village Council meeting Thursday night to protest, but council took no action to reinstate either man.

According to discussion at the meeting, Mr. Isaac and the other worker, whose name was not available, argued with the mayor earlier in the day when she directed them to undertake a painting job at Village Hall.

The mayor said two new workers would be hired.

Hospital group files suit over county fund

The TriHealth hospital group filed a federal lawsuit this week to challenge how Hamilton County distributes funds from an indigent care tax levy, carrying out a threat made last month

The lawsuit against the county, filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court, came the day after Hamilton County Prosecutor Mike Allen refused TriHealth's request to intervene in the dispute.

TriHealth argues that its state and federal rights of due process and equal protection have been violated because University Hospital is the only adult hospital to get money from the levy even though others also provide care to the county's uninsured.

The lawsuit claims that county commissioners ignored recommendations from a consultant and a tax levy review committee to allow other hospitals to share levy funds, which have amounted to about $34 million a year for University Hospital.

TriHealth wants the court to force the county to put the levy-funded services up for competitive bid.