Lockhart failed to pay income tax

SANDUSKY — Sandusky city commissioner Greg Lockhart faces another court battle.This time around, he apparently failed to pay state income taxes to the tune of about $8,100 from a dispute originating in 2011.Paperwork processed in Erie County Common Pleas Court on Feb. 14, 2017, shows Lockhart still hasn't ponied up what he owes.When accounting for interest and other costs, the amount he must now pay totals just under $9,500.No documentation, either in a county or state court, is readily available to provide additional details about what prompted the lawsuit.Lockhart had a court hearing in Erie County earlier this week, but it's not known what resolution, if any, resulted from the session.The Columbus-based law firm representing the state declined comment on Friday.Lockhart neglected to address questions posed to him by the Register. He generally fails to respond to inquiries, both through his cellphone and email account.In an email response on this issue, he wrote back: "I believe the amount is incorrect and believe this matter will be resolved in my favor. Have a great weekend."The court paperwork indicating Sandusky city commissioner Greg Lockhart was sued to collect unpaid state income taxes.Lockhart's lengthy legal historySandusky city commissioner Greg Lockhart has a checkered past when it comes to the local legal system.Among the more notable incidents involving Lockhart, according to court documentation:• Early 2017: Lockhart sued for $31,000 after reneging on a promise to book a popular R&B group for a concert at the Sandusky State Theatre.• Late 2016: Lockhart neglects to submit his campaign finance reports from his 2015 commission run. Lockhart violated an elections-related state law, and a state commission levied a $50 fine against him. Erie County elections board officials can't remember any other local candidate in recent memory who didn't turn in this document.• April 2016: A judge found Lockhart to be in contempt of court for failing to pay $3,300 in child support and sentenced him to 30 days in jail. Lockhart didn't serve any jail time because he ended up paying the amount in full just before his booking date.• February 2016: A special prosecutor opts against pursuing criminal charges against Lockhart after investigating a sexual misconduct allegation made against him stemming from a November 2015 incident.• November 2015: Lockhart and a woman spent a night out together before returning to his home. The woman, drinking alcohol throughout the night, said she didn't remember having sex with Lockhart. She awoke the next morning on Lockhart's couch half-naked and confused as to what happened. "She told Lockhart what he did was not proper," according to a statement from the sheriff's office report. "She said he told her people with political seat can get away with certain things as long as it is under the radar." But Lockhart — who, unlike the woman, wasn't drinking alcohol throughout the night — indicated she consented to intercourse.• Early-to-mid 2000s: Lockhart owed $18,000 in unpaid child support payments.• 2001: Local authorities charged Lockhart with three felonies and one misdemeanor in relation to sexual misconduct offenses involving a then-14-year-old girl. A judge convicted Lockhart of two misdemeanors — sexual imposition and importuning — after he entered no contest pleas. In June 2000, the girl told Erie County detectives Lockhart offered her $40 to remove her underwear and "engage in sex with him" at a former Milan-area dance club. Lockhart denied any sexual impropriety.Reach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel.The state sued Sandusky city commissioner Greg Lockhart because he apparently did not pay his income taxes, which now total just under $9,500.