Kay who?

Amber Ellis reports from Butler County:

Within hours of Kay Rogers’ resignation, all signs of her photograph, name and 12-year history with the office had been removed from the Butler County auditor’s website.

The website, which alerts visitors that it’s under construction, now bears information about interim director Michael Tilton, a 28-year employee with the department and current director of its real estate division.

Tilton, of Hanover Township, will be sworn in by county commissioners Wednesday during a special session. He’ll fill in until the Butler County Republican Party’s central committee appoints a permanent replacement. That could take up to 45 days.

Following a family tradition, Tilton will become a third-generation auditor. His grandfather, A.R. "Ray" Tilton, served four terms in the position before being replaced by his son, James A. Tilton, a three-term auditor in Butler County.

Rogers tendered a resignation letter late last week, apologizing for her actions and saying she’d step down Tuesday. The former auditor pleaded guilty in December to federal bank and mail fraud charges related to a fiber optics scandal that exploded in 2005. Rogers also pleaded guilt to an unrelated charge of filing a false income tax return. She could face up to 33 years in prison for her role in the conspiracy, though federal sentencing guidelines suggest a prison term of 51 to 63 months.