The scandals in Ohio are going to take a big leap tomorrow. Ohioans will read it on their front pages, but we can tell you now that Ohio Gov. Bob Taft has hired one of the top criminal defense attorneys in the state after admitting that he failed to report numerous golf outings on the annual financial disclosure statements that elected officials are required to file with the state's Ethics Commission.
It may be an incredible coincidence that this is happening now and that it doesn't have anything to do with the Tom Noe, the Coingate scandal, the federal investigation into illegal campaign contributions . . . but like we said, it would be an incredible coincidence.
We have posted more information on our blog here and here, and we will update this diary as more news comes available.
Update [2005-6-22 7:5:36 by Hypothetically Speaking]: The Columbus Dispatch this morning
confirms that there is a link between the unreported golf outings and Tom Noe, the infamous Republican fundraiser who was behind the Coingate scandal:
One of Taft's playing partners on a least one occasion was scandal-tarred Toledo coin dealer Thomas W. Noe, a well-placed source said on condition of anonymity. The men playhed at Toledo's storied Inverness Club, the source said.
But it was unclear whether Taft as required to disclose to the Ohio Ethics Commission any golf he played with Noe. If th governor paid his own way, he would not be required to report it.
Taft's office refused to confirm that Noe and the governor played golf together at Inverness, where Noe is a member, but Taft did 'fess up to a number of previously undisclosed outings with still-to-be-named golf partners.
The admission will prompt an investigation by the Ohio Ethics Commission, which could refer charges to the Frankin County prosecutor. If Taft knowlingly filed a false financial-disclosure statement, he could face up to six months in jail, a $1,000 fine or both.
The Plain Dealer
reports this morning that although Taft issued a public statement about not reporting the outings only yesterday, he informed the Ethics Commission a week ago.
In a new development, the Dispatch also suggests that there may be several other politicians facing problems over "unreported golf outings:"
David Freel, executive director of the Ethics Commission said he could not comment directly on Taft's situation. But he said "a number " of other public officials or their representatives have inquired about amending their financial-disclosure forms.