Coin dealer releases documents to rebut Taft (Ohio Coingate)

[deminks]

http://www.onnnews.com/Global/story.asp?S=3763488

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A lawyer for an embattled coin dealer released documents Wednesday that he said contradict Gov. Bob Taft's claim the dealer was trying to conceal his $50 million investment in rare coins for the state's insurance fund for injured workers.

Tom Noe's dealings with the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation also were a frequent topic of conversation at dinners Noe hosted at a downtown Columbus steakhouse where he wined and dined various state officials, his attorney, William Wilkinson, told The Associated Press.

The governor didn't attend what's come to be known as the Noe Supper Club, but he knew members of his administration were there, Wilkinson said.

Taft has maintained that he did not know of Noe's investments until reading newspaper reports about them in April of this year, and a spokesman for the governor reiterated that Wednesday.

[NEOBuckeye]

1. Taft is Toast

The storm is only beginning for him. It is only going to get worse.

[Oerdin]

5. Naw.

He'll be like Tom Delay and string the whole thing along until people forget about it. It's not like Taft could even run again so what does he care? From our point of view it is better to keep him in office then for him to resign because he'd just be replaced by another freeper plus as long as he's there people can point to him as yet another corrupt Republican.

[BQueen]

2. He's attempting a BushBacktrack

degree of difficulty, 3.2...

from Noe "was trying to conceal" his involvement to....

>>>"The governor wants to say again that Tom Noe did not tell him personally about the coin investment," spokesman Mark Rickel said.<<<

:popcorn: it will be entertaining to watch, but ultimately
:thumbsdown: :thumbsdown:

[rrrevolution]

3. Noe will cut a deal, will testify against Taft and others = BOOM!!!!

Noe is caught, he is facing a long prison sentence, so he will likely cut a plea bargain deal which will require him to testify truthfully as to all his knowledge of wrongdoing by Gov Taft and his supporting cast of Republican characters.

Taft knows this, or he is brain dead.

Impeachment may not happen in Ohio because Repubs are in majority control of all houses and the governor's office. However, can you imagine Taft serving out 16 months with his misdemeanor convictions already a matter of record, and likely more charges to come. Dems would be crazy to lead impeachment when Taft would remain on public display daily as the poster child for graft and corruption -- constantly reminding the voting public.

The big BOOM will occur when the breadth and depth of the corruption in Ohio comes out. Just the massive number of officials likely to be indicted and convicted will have a huge impact, not just on Ohio but the national Republican Party across the country.

[samplegirl]

4. This is one trickle down

i hope that i hope keeps flowing....right down to
that scumbag Blackwell.

[mod mom]

9. We need the Noes to talk about Blcackwell and the election theft. Don't

forget, Mr Noe had conversations with Rove as chair of B/C '04 for NW Ohio. there are a lot of scumbags that could go down with this dude. He needs to be put in protective custody.

Taft is a worthless POS. As my husband always said, if he didn't have Taft bloodlines he'd be wearing a hair net flipping burgers for a living. (with all due respect to those who flip burgers, though). We need to get to the bigwigs!

[BlueIris]

12. YES. Protective custody for him, ASAP.

Geez, upon remembering that, I'm suprised he's still with us.

[jsamuel]

6. BOOM! Nominated!

[newscott]

7. Oh I think Taft picked the wrong guy to fight with.

This is going to get real ugly if Noe does not go quietly. :evilgrin:

[Supersedeas]

8. drip drip drip

[Joanne98]

10. We need a members list of the Noe Supper Club.....

[BlueIris]

11. I have a strong feeling that coingate is a key to Bush's undoing.

Keep this story kicked, kiddies. It's in our best interest.

[BQueen]

13. part of it, at least

Don't forget Noe's wife headed up the Lucas County BOE during 2004 debacle -- many many problems, not just those that came up on election day. One thing where board and Blackwell fingerpointing at each other (had to lease machines rather than buy, so fewer machines available, supposedly due to a Blackwell ruling), sounded pretty collusive to me -- and would require some planning.

Also the county where the break in at Dem HQ occurred, and the Dem party in Lucas/Toledo is split into two splinter groups right now...

[newscott]

14. I have no doubt also. I've been following it for a while

and it seems that if Noe ever goes to trial, a LOT of people will be hurt.

[BlueIris]

15. Welcome to DU!

I really do hope we can keep up the interest in this story. It should be getting so much more attention than it is.