Hi folks. Just posted this on
our blog. You all know about the blockbuster Ohio Coingate Scandal rocking the GOP's one party establishment. Those of you who are just finding out about this story, you can read background information on this blockbuster scandal, which has reached from the White House in D.C. to the Governor's mansion in Sacramento California, by clicking
here,
here, and
here.
What we need from all you today is to take quick, and swift action, sending a clear message to the folks who are enveloping our nation into a culture of corruption. We need you to take action today demanding that state's highest official Governor Bob Taft (R), to clean up this stench of culture of corruption, which has stained its ruling establishment up and down the line, and throughout the nation reaching to the highest levels of our Government - including the White House. Sign our petition today, demanding the Ohio Governor to launch an indepdent investigation (witout the partisan meddling from ruling establishment) into these scandals:
http://www.commoncause.org/InvestigateCoingate
More after the jump ...
We are sending an email out early this afternoon, launching this petition drive, the text of which you can read, right after the jump. Please
sign it and forward it to everyone you know.
Subject: Let's Clean Up OHIODear Common Cause Activist,
The state of Ohio was in the national spotlight in the last election for problems ranging from long lines, misinformation on election day, and faulty voting machines. Since November 2nd, we have been
working hard in that state in all aspects of electoral reform - from participating in the recount efforts to fighting to enact meaningful election reform legislation.
Unfortunately, I am writing today about another political scandal popularly known as "Coingate"in the Buckeye State rocking that state's one-party ruling establishment, which apparently has failed to properly manage a major state fund and keep it free from corrupting political influence. We need you to take action today demanding that Governor Bob Taft (R), clean up this mess.:
http://www.commoncause.org/InvestigateCoingateThe story begins with
Thomas Noe, a rare-coin dealer and Republican financial backer, who has been a player in Ohio politics for years. Noe is at the center of a major scandal and is under investigation for the loss of up to
$12 million worth of rare coins that were part of a dubious $50 million investment by the state workers compensation fund he was responsible for managing.
While Noe has reaped huge profits from Ohio taxpayers' money, he has raised and contributed thousands in
campaign contributions to President Bush and state Republican leaders, including Governor Bob Taft (R), Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell (R) and Attorney General Jim Petro (R).
Even the state Supreme Court has been infected by the Noe scandal. Recently, 5 of the 7 justices recused themselves from cases involving Noe because they had received contributions from him.
Meanwhile it's been discovered that the same agency has lost hundreds of millions in additional taxpayer money by investing in other risky funds.
And the fallout from the "Coingate" scandal has reached beyond Ohio. Noe is a focus of a federal investigation in his role as
a Pioneer for President Bush's 2004 reelection campaign, responsible for raising at least $100,000 for the President. He is accused of violating federal campaign finance law by reimbursing donors who gave to the President's campaign committee.
While Noe's beneficiaries are falling over backwards to disassociate themselves from him, Ohioans are waiting answers as to how their tax dollars fell through the cracks.
Given the wide swath of Noe's influence in a state dominated by the Republican party in all branches of government, the only way that we can get to the truth about how accountability failed at every level is to enlist an independent investigator to thoroughly examine these allegations.
Please
sign our petition today asking Governor Taft to appoint an independent investigator to get answers to the following questions:
http://www.commoncause.org/InvestigateCoingateAs the saying goes, as Ohio goes so does the nation. This scandal may have originated in Columbus State House, but it has affected the entire nation. The stories from last two weeks have shown that this scandal has connections and national implications, reverberating from the White House in Washington D.C. to the Governor's mansion in Sacramento California. So, please
sign our petition today, and after you have signed it, make sure to pass it on to everyone you know:
http://www.commoncause.org/InvestigateCoingateThank you again for all you do to hold power accountable.
Sincerely,
Chellie Pingree
President & CEO, Common Cause