Mark Barbash is stepping down as interim director of the Ohio Department of Development effective today, after it was disclosed that he owes more than $150,000 in back taxes, penalties and fines.

Gov. Ted Strickland appointed Lisa Patt-McDaniel, 44, currently the director of the department's Workforce and Talent Division, as a replacement for Barbash starting Monday.

Mark Barbash

• Official state biography (PDF)

Barbash, 59, had been picked for the job on an interim basis after Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher stepped down in February as development director to run for the U.S. Senate.

According to tax liens filed April 22 in the Franklin County recorder's office, Barbash owes the IRS $146,314 from assessments dating back to 2001.

The Ohio Department of Taxation also filed a state tax lien against Barbash in March for $12,462, and a foreclosure action was filed last week against his Bexley home, court records show.

Barbash, the former Columbus development director, is earning $128,356 a year and is returning to his former role as chief economic development officer at the same salary.

Barbash issued a statement today saying he will be taking several weeks of paid accrued leave time "which I believe will provide the necessary time to straighten out some personal financial matters."

"I've been working with the Internal Revenue Service on issues involving the refiling of personal tax returns over several years," Barbash said. "In fairness to the important efforts of our Department, our dedicated staff, and the citizens of Ohio, I do not want the distraction of my personal financial matters to get in the way of moving forward with our work. I take full responsibility for what I believe are fundamentally personal matters that require my full attention at this time."