DNC: Two Trials Highlight Republican Culture of Corruption in Ohio

[ProSense]

DNC: Two Trials Highlight Republican Culture of Corruption in Ohio

1 hour, 29 minutes ago

To: State Desk, Political Reporter

Contact: Damien LaVera of the Democratic National Committee, 202-863-8148

WASHINGTON, May 31 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Today, developments in two federal courtrooms separated by more than 470 miles are shining new light on the Republican culture of corruption that has plagued Ohio.

In Washington, Neil Volz, former chief of staff for scandal- plagued Republican Congressman Bob Ney, testified yesterday about Congressman Ney's involvement with criminal lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Volz gave incriminating testimony about Congressman Ney providing legislative favors to Abramoff's lobbying team, filing false statements about the cost and the purpose of trips he took with Abramoff, and advising Abramoff and his associates on how to get legislation passed. (Washington Post, 5/31/06)

Meanwhile, in Toledo, scandal-plagued coin dealer and Bush-Cheney fundraiser Tom Noe is expected to plead guilty to federal criminal charges that he illegally funneled more than $45,000 to the Bush- Cheney campaign in order to achieve the elite "pioneer" fundraising status. Noe allegedly gave thousands of dollars to two dozen people so they could then contribute it to the Bush-Cheney campaign. Months later, the campaign still has not returned the fraudulent contributions. (Toledo Blade, 5/31/06)

"From a Republican Congressman who sold his votes to corrupt lobbyists, to a President who refuses to return Tom Noe's tainted campaign contributions, the time has come to end the Republican culture of corruption that has plagued Columbus and Washington," said Democratic National Committee spokesman Damien LaVera. "When Ohioans head to the polls in November, they will have a clear choice between more of the same Republican culture of corruption and strong Democratic leaders like Ted Strickland, Sherrod Brown and Zack Space who are offering real ethics reform that will provide Ohio a government as good as its people."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnw/20060531/pl_usnw/dnc__two_trials_highlight_republican_culture_of_corruption_in_ohio130_xml

[Nimrod2005]

1. Are they saying Bring it on? yet?

[OzarkDem]

2. Noe plead guilty to campaign money laundering

He's taking the fall for the GOP. The other participants who could have testified about the money laundering scheme's connections to Washington DC have all been given immunity for their testimony by the GOP federal prosecutor.

Coingate trial is next.

"Republican fundraiser Tom Noe admitted in federal court today that he laundered campaign contributions to President Bush's re-election campaign.

Noe, who boasted for years about his GOP connections, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Toledo to conspiracy and federal election law violations. It is a case federal authorties called the largest campaign contribution fraud in years.

Noe, the man at the center of a major scandal that was wounded the GOP in Ohio, faces another case in Lucas County Common Pleas Court, where he is charged with racketeering and stealing nearly $2.3 million from a $50 million investment into rare coins he managed for the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation."

http://www.cleveland.com/newslogs/plaindealer/index.ssf?/mtlogs/cleve_plaindealer/archives/2006_05.html#146452

[eppur_se_muova]

3. RCOC ! Spread the meme ! nt