Former Co-Director Of Delaware Co. Humane Society Charged With Theft, Identity Fraud

The man who was once the co-director of a central Ohio animal shelter was arrested on Friday after being charged with theft and identity fraud.

According to the Delaware County Prosecutor's Office, William Hadley was charged with one count of identity fraud, one count of forgery and four counts of theft.

The Prosecutor's Office said that Hadley first joined the humane society in 2009 under the name William Alan. About a year later, he was named co-director of the Delaware County Humane Society.

Investigators said that the humane society received notice that Hadley was using a false name. Hadley allegedly told the group that he was in the Federal Witness Protection Program. He resigned at the request of the board of directors last summer, 10TV’s Glenn McEntyre reported.

“He told the board members that he used a different name because he was in the Federal Witness Protection Program,” Delaware County Prosecutor Carol O’Brien said. “There’s no evidence that’s the case.”

10TV approached Hadley at his Marysville home on Friday hours before his arrest. Hadley said that he was unaware he was a wanted man, McEntyre reported.

“That’s the first I’ve heard of it,” Hadley said.

After Hadley resigned from the humane society, an audit revealed that a large amount of money was used to purchase materials that were not for the shelter.

Investigators said that some of the money was used to purchase renovation materials for Hadley's home. Hadley allegedly assigned humane society employees to work on the home and told them that they were working on a donor's home.

Hadley was also accused of using his work credit card at gas stations, restaurants and for airline tickets.

“He would buy things using humane society money,” O’Brien said. “There was also a humane society credit card for use by the co-directors, and he used that credit card – over $30,000.”

The humane society relies on donations for funding, McEntyre reported.

Investigators said that the thefts did not affect the care of the animals.

Hadley previously served two years in prison in 2005 for a Wayne County theft case.

Hadley currently is being held at the Delaware County Jail. He is expected in court next week.

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