Full Biography for Joseph T. Deters

Candidate for
Treasurer of State

During his more than 16 years of experience in public service, Joe Deters has built a proven track record as a dedicated public official. While demonstrating an ability to streamline government, Joe consistently provides taxpayers a better return on their investment.

A Cincinnati native, Joe attended Wittenberg University and is a graduate of both the University of Cincinnati and the University of Cincinnati College of Law, which named him the Distinguished Alumnus for 1997.

The oldest of eight children, Joe currently resides in Cincinnati with his wife, Missy and their children, Joseph 9, Jonathan, 7 and Mary Elyse, 4.

In 1988, Joe was appointed Hamilton County Clerk of Courts, winning election to the office that year. Upon taking over as Clerk, Joe immediately focused on revitalizing and modernizing an office that had been described by the Cincinnati Enquirer as in " the dark ages" prior to his arrival.

Joe's first order of business was to adopt a policy of zero tolerance regarding theft in office - a policy that aggressively pursued every instance of employee embezzlement within the Clerk's office. This policy immediately set the tone that any corrupt activity would be dealt with swiftly and severely.

The acceptance of political contributions from employees through payroll deductions, a practice prevalent within many county offices around the state in 1988, was terminated by Joe after taking office as Clerk. Eliminating the deductions, which had accounted for as much as $125,000 annually from the Clerk's office alone, proved unpopular among his peers. Despite this, Joe went a step further by contacting every Republican elected official in the county, urging them to cease the practice as well.That effort culminated, through Joe's leadership, in the end of political payroll deductions altogether in Hamilton County Republican ranks.

As Clerk, Joe managed an operation of 325 employees, roughly twice the size of the State Treasurer's office. Joe oversaw an annual collection of $10-12 million in fees and fines and administered a yearly budget of more than $10 million.

Under Joe's direction, the Clerk's office evolved into a computerized and technology driven operation, greatly increasing its proficiency and capability of providing cost-effective services while saving taxpayer dollars.

As Clerk, Joe implemented several taxpayer friendly programs, including positioning Hamilton County as one of the first offices in Ohio to accept credit cards for the payment of certain fines and fees. Joe also introduced the use of efficient debit accounts for law firms transacting regular business with the Clerk's office.

In 1992, Joe was appointed Hamilton County Prosecutor. He won election to the office later that year, leading the ticket for administrative offices. Through the implementation of new programs, policies and innovations, Joe has since elevated the Hamilton County Prosecutor's office to a highly respected level.

Later in 1992, Joe implemented Ohio's first county-based Environmental Prosecution Unit and the office's first ever Victims Assistance Program

In 1994, Joe created one of Ohio's first County Public Corruption Units, which perpetuates Joe's policy of zero tolerance for corruption among public employees. In addition to its deterring effect, the unit has been responsible for numerous indictments and convictions in cases of public corruption and theft, saving taxpayer money and restoring public confidence in local government employees.

In 1995, Joe initiated the Rapid Indictment Program in Hamilton County. Under this program, preliminary hearings have been eliminated and cases go directly to a grand jury within ten days, saving the courts valuable time, the taxpayers millions of dollars, and alleviating overcrowding in jails by eliminating pretrial delay.

That same year, Joe cracked down on deadbeat parents and the continuing costs they placed upon their children and the county by issuing indictments for non-support in the amount of $870,000. By way of his efforts, the county saved taxpayer money through less public assistance and sent a strong deterring message to future would-be deadbeats that non-payment is not an acceptable option in Hamilton County.

As Hamilton County Prosecutor, Joe directs a staff of 115 attorneys and 80 support personnel, accounting for an operating budget in excess of $8 million annually. Joe is the legal counsel to Hamilton County and all of its elected officials, requiring Joe to possess a detailed knowledge of the operations of each of those offices.

Joe is responsible for, and has on numerous occasions, advised the County Treasurer on the permissibility of investments of public funds, including conducting lectures and training for members of the Treasurer's staff regarding issues of white collar crime and inappropriate and illegal investments.

Overseeing the issuance of debt, in the form of bonds for capital projects, is Joe's responsibility as Prosecutor. The most recent example of this was an issuance of $270 million in debt to finance a new football stadium for the Cincinnati Bengals. These types of debt issuance matters are highly consistent with the responsibilities of the State Treasurer, as familiarity and experience in this area are among the most important prerequisites for that position.

Joe is currently the president of the Hamilton County Budget Commission, the body that reviews the tax budget of every municipality within Hamilton County to ensure that tax levies are set at legal and acceptable levels. As a member of the commission, Joe has reduced inordinately high millages on certain levies, directly saving taxpayer dollars.

In addition, Joe has worked diligently toward improving the minority hiring record within the Prosecutor's office. Resulting from his efforts, the office now participates in both major Cincinnati area minority employment outreach programs and has hired more African Americans as attorneys and support staff than his predecessors combined.

Joe's hands on style, including his stringent adherence to operating within state and local statutes and policies have earned him a reputation of integrity and public trust.

Since becoming Prosecutor, Joe has personally tried numerous cases and has a perfect conviction record. Joe's efforts to instill in his office an aggressive mind set toward the prosecution of violent criminals have paid off for the people of Hamilton County. Those constituents currently enjoy the lowest crime rate of any urban area in the State of Ohio.

Very active at the state level as well, Joe has worked with the Governor's office and the Legislature to implement laws to protect the people and property of the State of Ohio.

Joe served as a chair on the Governor's Task Force on Gun Violence and was instrumental in two major pieces of capital crime legislation passed in Ohio, including one that allows prosecutors to seek the death penalty in the aggravated murder of children, and the other significantly reducing the expenditure of time and taxpayer money required in the completion of capital litigation in Ohio.

Additionally, Joe has earnestly participated on joint committees investigating such proposals as a state DNA lab and database; repealing the 15 year cap on prison terms; legislation to incarcerate certain juvenile offenders beyond age 21; and allowing judges to consider an offender's degree of threat to the community in setting bond.

Outside of the Prosecutor's office, Joe serves on the Board of Directors of the University of Cincinnati, which sets policy for the university and dictates its operational direction. As a member of the finance committee, Joe regularly reviews the investment parameters and performance of the $700 million endowment fund.