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Home > Blogs > Ohio politics > Archives > 2009 > August > 21
Friday, August 21, 2009
Broker gets 45 day license suspension
The Ohio Department of Commerce suspended Montford Will’s securities and investment adviser licenses for 45 days, retroactive to July 6, according to an agreement reached Friday, Aug. 21.
The state took action against Will after the Ohio Elections Commission in May fined him a record $95,000 for improperly funneling $121,000 in campaign contributions through three family members to Democrats and Republicans across the state.
Will of suburban Columbus admitted laundering campaign contributions through his wife, Min Cha Lee, and his stepchildren Lindsey and Kristopher Kuty. The three family members were each fined $10,000 for their roles in the scheme, in which Will would give them money to donate to political parties and candidates.
Since the suspension is retroactive, Will may return to business. He is the branch manager for Wells Fargo Advisers LLC.
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UPDATED with Strickland reaction - Raid on accounts for blind and organ donations prompts action by Sen. Jones
A report that Gov. Ted Strickland’s administration helped balance the budget by grabbing $2.7 million in state rotary accounts meant to help children fight blindness and for organ donations has prompted legislative action by Sen. Shannon Jones, R-Springboro.
Jones said in a press release on Friday, Aug. 21, that she plans to introduce legislation in the “near future” to rein in the governor’s authority to take money in these accounts for other purposes. Fees and donations, not broad-based taxes, support rotary accounts.
“While Ohio governors have traditionally enjoyed broad authority to ensure the state budget remains balanced, this administration’s willingness to dip into charitable donations meant to help Ohioans in need is troubling and a complete irresponsible use of the discretion it’s been given,” Jones said in the release.
The Columbus Dispatch first reported the incident and also reported that Strickland and a top aide said that the money would be returned to the accounts, $1.4 million to the Save Our Sight fund and $1.3 million to the Second Chance Trust Fund.
Money for the Save Our Sight program comes from $1 voluntary donations motorists make when applying for or renewing license plates. Money for the Second Chance Trust Fund for organ donations comes from $1 voluntary donations drivers make when applying for or renewing their licenses.
Strickland spokeswoman Allison Kolodziej said in an e-mail that the governor also was disappointed to learn of the fund transfers and had ordered his budget staff to begin working to replace the funds.
Limiting a governor’s ability to use such funds that otherwise would sit unused, as Jones proposed, “would actually take away an important tool we used to avoid tax increases on Ohio families and businesses in this budget,” Kolodziej said.
“Perhaps Sen. Jones thinks tax increases are a better way to balance the budget, but the governor disagrees,” she added.
Jones lashed back, saying she had no plans for tax increases. Strickland, she said, was trying to change the subject.
“I’m trying to deal with what he did,” she said. “….I never imagined the governor would do such a thing.”
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Secretary of State’s race could be costly
Republican Jon Husted wants permission to raise unlimited donations from his supporters after his opponent in the secretary of state’s GOP primary took out a $95,000 personal loan.
Husted is going up against former Ashtabula County auditor Sandra O’Brien, who knocked incumbent treasurer Jennette Bradley out in a GOP primary in 2006.
A lawsuit filed by O’Brien temporarily has blocked Husted’s ability to get permission to go beyond the $11,000 per person contribution limits.
“I have no intention of raising beyond the limits at this time but we need to keep our options open,” Husted said.
O’Brien’s lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of the law that limits contributions.
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Ohio gets $55.8 million in stimulus cash for water, sewer projects
Nearly $56 million in federal stimulus money is flowing into Ohio to help pay for water and sewer projects, including $6.2 million for work in the Miami Valley.
Dayton will receive $1.7 million while Montgomery County is slated to get $496,661 and Darke and Miami counties will receive $1.2 million and $1.29 million, respectively.
“Infrastructure improvements improve quality of life, economic development opportunities and the region’s ability to attract new business investment,” Gov. Ted Strickland said. “They also help ensure that our communities are providing residents with safe and reliable sources of water and sanitary sewer systems. Most importantly, they are putting Ohioans to work.”
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Media not allowed at Freedom Concert at Kings Island
The Dayton Daily News and other Cox Ohio newspapers were planning to have photos and coverage of tonight’s Freedom Concert hosted by Sean Hannity on our Web sites and in Saturday’s newspaper.
However, the organizers will not allow the media to attend.
I understand that many of our readers would want to see photos and coverage from this event, so I wanted to explain why it will not be available.
Here’s information on the event.
Here’s the message sent from Kings Island:
SEAN HANNITY FREEDOM CONCERT ADVISORY
Please be advised there will not be a video/photo opportunity available today of Lt. Col. Oliver North’s book signing at Kings Island as originally scheduled. As per the Freedom Alliance organization, media access for tonight’s concert will not be permitted.
Don Helbig Public Relations Area Manager Kings Island
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Garrison grabs endorsements
Although it’s early in the race for Secretary of State, state Rep. Jennifer Garrison, D-Marietta, has racked up endorsements from 35 state representatives and members of Congress.
Garrison jumped into the race earlier this month and will take on Franklin County Commissioner Marilyn Brown for the Democratic party nomination. The nominee will likely go up against state Sen. Jon Husted, R-Kettering, assuming Husted beats former Ashtabula County auditor Sandy O’Brien in the GOP primary.
Endorsing Garrison are three Congressmen, six state senators including Fred Strahorn of Dayton, and 26 state representatives, including Clayton Luckie of Dayton.
