Christopher Filos appeared in the Morrow County Common Pleas court of Judge Howard Hall Friday morning, August 21, 2015 to change his plea in a case that was set to go to trial on Monday, Aug. 24.

Filos had originally been indicted by the Morrow County Grand Jury in January of 2012 on charges of aggravated theft, (F3); failure to remit state income tax withheld (F5); and theft, a felony of the fourth degree.

As part of the plea agreement, counts one and three had a ‘change of defendant’ from Christopher Filos to Taylor Industrial Services LLC.

Under what is known as a bill of information, he pleaded guilty to all three counts. He waived his right to a jury trial.

Filos changed his plea on count two from not guilty to guilty and was ordered to remit restitution to the Village of Mt. Gilead in the amount of $44,687.47 by September 30, 2015.

As president of Taylor Industrial services LLC, Filos represented the corporation and pleaded guilty to counts one and three. As Taylor Industries, he agreed to pay restitution of approximately $216,811.21 over a 24 month period. It is unclear the amount owed to the state for taxes, as the state has accrued penalties and interest. Assistant Prosecutor Tom Elkin explained that the Ohio Board of Tax appeal has jurisdiction to remit penalties for taxes and, as such, has requested that a representative of the board of tax appeal appear at the sentencing hearing on September 29.

Failure to meet any part of the agreed upon plea deal will result in revocation of the plea, and Filos could face possible jail time of up to 11 months.

In a separate case, Filos faces one count of illegal storage of hazardous waste, which is an unclassified felony. The charge stems from his time as the owner of HPM. The property required environmental clean-up by the Ohio EPA. The hearing date for that case was also set for September 29.

Reach Donna Carver at 419-946-3010, ext. 1804 or on Twitter @MorrCoSentinel.

Donna Carver | Morrow County Sentinel Christopher Filos, right, former owner of HPM, consults with his attorneys during his change of plea hearing Friday in the Morrow County Court of Common Pleas courtroom of Judge Howard Hall. On the left is Morrow County Prosecutor Charles Howland and Assistant Prosecutor Tom Elkin.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2015/08/web1_FullSizeRender.jpgDonna Carver | Morrow County Sentinel Christopher Filos, right, former owner of HPM, consults with his attorneys during his change of plea hearing Friday in the Morrow County Court of Common Pleas courtroom of Judge Howard Hall. On the left is Morrow County Prosecutor Charles Howland and Assistant Prosecutor Tom Elkin.

By Donna Carver

[email protected]