BAZETTA TWP., Ohio - An appeals court has found in favor of Bazetta Township as officials look to recover more than $80,000 in tax money stolen by cybercriminals.

The Ohio Eleventh District Court of Appeals upheld a lower court ruling ordering Trumbull County Auditor, Martha Yoder, to pay the township the full missing amount.

The legal dispute centered on $80,857.18 in tax revenue that failed to reach the township's bank account. The money included local government funds, gasoline excise tax, and advance payments for real estate taxes.

According to the court document, the trouble began in August 2024 when criminals hacked the Township Fiscal Officer’s email account. Using the compromised email, the cybercriminals sent messages to the Auditor’s office, convincing an employee to change t

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