Morning Briefing | Court sides with Wright State in $4.5M lawsuit

Wright State University has prevailed in a $4.5 million lawsuit involving a former consultant.

In today’s Morning Briefing, we examine the long relationship between the university and Ron Wine Consulting Group and how it all fell apart. We also tell you how to appeal if you disagree with your home tax value.

If you have thoughts or feedback on this newsletter or other news tips, please let me know at [email protected].

Want to read the digital version of the newspaper? Click here for our daily ePaper.

The newsletter should take about 4 minutes, 24 seconds to read.

***

Court sides with Wright State in $4.5M lawsuit over ‘handshake agreement’ with consulting group

The Ohio Court of Claims found in favor of Wright State University in a former consultant’s lawsuit against the university.

• The plaintiff: Ron Wine Consulting Group, LLC claimed WSU agreed to compensation that included a 5% performance-based incentive.

• The ruling: The court said that the lack of a written contract hurt Wine’s argument.

• Handshake agreement: Ron Wine allegedly had what one former WSU administrator called a “handshake agreement” with WSU’s president at the time to pay Wine millions in performance bonuses for securing state and federal research contracts for the university.

• Some history: In 2009, the university hired Wine’s consulting firm in a bid to draw more government contracts to Wright State. His firm’s pay was $6,000 a month. A Dayton Daily News investigation obtained WSU records showing payment arrangements with Wine that grew steadily, from $6,000 in 2009 to up to $84,000 a month.

• Investigations: The newspaper’s reporting led to several investigations, including a state audit released in 2019 that issued $1.3 million in findings for recovery against Wine and several Wright State Research Institute administrators. Those findings are still unpaid.

• Former WSU president: David Hopkins said under oath that he made no deal to pay Wine a performance-based bonus. He also expressed concerns that such an arrangement would have been improper, or even illegal.

• Wine’s statement: “Over a seven-year period of time, they (WSU) developed a complex and confusing web of contracts, subcontracts and verbal agreements that we abided by as an entrepreneurial small business while delivering outstanding results for their enterprises. I chose to trust their word and the commitment made to us by the leadership of the university to the detriment of my company and associates. It is a decision I will always deeply regret.”

Think your home’s tax value is too high? Here’s how to appeal

Homeowners have until March 31 to file appeals to lower their property’s taxable value in tax bills for the second half of 2024 due later this year.

• Historic increase in 2023: Last year, thousands of area property owners filed such appeals following a historic increase in property values leading to massive tax hikes in some communities.

• The numbers: Montgomery County saw residential property values increase by an average of 34% countywide in 2023. Greene County saw a 30% average increase.

• How appeals work: Property owners can file appeals with their county’s Board of Revision (BOR) if they disagree with their home’s updated value. They must show evidence for their proposed value change.

• Filing appeals: The Board of Revision is responsible for conducting hearings to determine the fair market value of property, allowing individuals to present evidence to suggest a change in a property’s value. Boards of Revision can only hear complaints regarding property value, not tax amounts.

• Providing evidence: This includes documents like appraisal reports, purchase and lease agreements, construction costs, closing statements and other documents related to income and expenses.

• Fewer appeals expected this year: Officials said they did not expect appeals to match the thousands submitted following the 2023 property value update.

What to know today

• One big takeaway: Dayton has been awarded federal funding to study and try to reimagine part of U.S. 35 to better connect neighborhoods on opposites sides of the highway.

• Tip of the day: With exhibits featuring dinosaurs, spaceships and more, the Indianapolis Children’s Museum is celebrating its 100th anniversary with special events and programs throughout 2025.

• Person to know today: Casey Nickole. The owner of SHAG Studios, a mixed-use salon with gold glitter epoxy floors, leopard print ceilings and gold leaf wallpaper, does not do anything halfway.

• Big move of the day: The new Clearcreek Fire District station and headquarters in Springboro is on target to open early this year, with a ribbon-cutting sometime in March.

• Dayton eats: Zen Grill, a new hibachi express restaurant, is coming soon to Kettering.

• Happening today: The Greene Town Center’s newest retail offering, Anthropologie, will be opening today.

• Photo of the day: The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery in Dayton recently hosted ABC Night, an event with more than 100 different bourbons to sample. Guests received a behind-the-scenes Boonshoft sneak peek at what projects are planned at the museum. Check out all the photos from Tom Gilliam.