A criminal-fraud case against an elected Concord Township official has some residents worried about the “purity and fairness” of future elections under her supervision.

Concord Township Supervisor Kandi Nassy recently submitted a signed petition from 20 township residents to Butler County court requesting the appointment of two election overseers to ensure fair elections take place throughout the year.

Nassy and petition signatories are worried that Judith A. Stoops will not faithfully execute her elected position as judge of elections.

On Friday, Judge Michael Yeager heard arguments from petitioners and the County Bureau of Elections regarding the matter. Currently, Stoops faces multiple felony charges of fraud after police filed a complaint in October 2018 accusing her of stealing more than $12,000 from Concord Township. She has pleaded not guilty in that criminal case.

Stoops was not present at Friday's hearing.

In addition to asking for the two overseers, petitioners requested Yeager require the county to pay for the positions — a point disputed by the county Bureau of Elections.

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