Catholic Foundation executive arrested for child sex crimes
A Catholic Foundation executive was arrested this week for online sexual abuse of a minor.
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force executed a search warrant and arrested Richard Hartman, 49 on October 1 at his home in Westerville.
The arrest follows an extensive investigation which began in April of 2026, after a teenage victim reported to school counselors that she had engaged in an online relationship with Hartman that included text messages and video calls involving video sex acts and the exchange of nude images and videos. The relationship went on for six months before it was discovered.
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
Hartman is the Senior Vice President & Chief Development Officer of the Catholic Foundation, a charitable and investment foundation that supports Catholic causes throughout the 23-county Diocese of Columbus.
According to ICAC, the communication between the victim and Hartman revealed that he had attempted to meet the minor in person for sex. It was also discovered that Hartman convinced the victim to delete any evidence and attempted to hide the fact that she was a minor.
Hartman was taken into custody without incident and confessed to the allegations. Investigators shut down one or more of his alleged social media accounts and reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Multiple electronic communication devices were seized from the home as part of the investigation.
Hartman was initially charged with grooming, pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor, and pandering obscenity involving a minor. Additional charges may be filed as the investigation continues.
Want to read more? Check out our print publications, (614) Magazine and Stock & Barrel. Learn where you can find free copies of our newest issues here!
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
