PORTAGE COUNTY, Ohio — The Portage County Prosecutor's Office has announced new information in its investigation into the county jail after 23 former inmates alleged they were abused and mistreated.
Officials said after an extensive investigation, involving hundreds of interviews, reviewing documents, jail phone calls and jail security videotapes, they found all but one complaint was found to be fabricated or greatly exaggerated.
Authorities said eight of the complaints were prepared for the inmates by a man while he was incarcerated in state prison at the Lake Erie Correctional Facility.
Several inmates retracted false allegations, according to officials.
Officials said that in the sole incident found to have any merit, which happened in November 2013, the corrections officer involved resigned rather than face any disciplinary action by the sheriff.
The prosecutor's office is continuing their investigation to determine whether criminal charges are appropriate for the people involved in making and filing false reports, making false statements to law enforcement, and fabricating false documents.
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