The former deputy registrar who ran the Stow Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles location is being investigated by the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office for possible misconduct, the BMV said.
The Stow office at Fishcreek and Graham roads closed without notice or explanation Monday morning, when deputy registrar Alfred Mason Jr. resigned. BMV officials said they were working on getting the office, which must run with a deputy officer in place, reopened as soon as possible and referred people to other area locations.
On Friday, BMV spokeswoman Lindsey Bohrer confirmed that Mason is under investigation.
“BMV was in the area to take administrative action at the Stow Deputy Registrar agency that culminated in the deputy registrar’s resignation. BMV had investigated on allegations of misconduct, and the case is still open and pending at the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office.
“We are not at liberty to discuss any further since the case is still open,” Bohrer said in an e-mail.
A Summit County Prosecutor’s spokesperson said he could not confirm the case with staff on Friday and the office does not comment on ongoing investigations.
Attempts to reach Mason, who had been deputy registrar since July 2007, were unsuccessful.
The state contracts with deputy registrars to run independent offices that provide drivers licenses, permits, titles and other services at locations throughout Ohio.
The Stow office employed eight besides Mason.
The BMV suggested other offices, including one at 650 Graham Road, suite 100-B, across from Krieger’s Health Foods Market, in Cuyahoga Falls; 330-929-6469. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
Vehicle owners can also renew vehicle registrations at www.oplates.com
Betty Lin-Fisher can be reached at 330-996-3724 or blinfisher@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her @blinfisherABJ on Twitter or www.facebook.com/BettyLinFisherABJ and see all her stories at www.ohio.com/betty.