GOP Backer Faces Ohio Corruption Charges (Noe, 53 charges)

[ProSense]

GOP Backer Faces Ohio Corruption Charges

By JOHN SEEWER, Associated Press Writer
1 hour, 50 minutes ago

TOLEDO, Ohio - A coin dealer and prominent GOP fundraiser was charged Monday with stealing at least $1 million from a controversial state investment in rare coins that has embroiled Republicans in scandal during an election year.

The 53 charges against Tom Noe conclude a 10-month investigation by state and federal prosecutors into the $50 million rare coin investment Noe managed for the state insurance fund for injured workers.

The investigation led to sweeping changes at the state workers' compensation bureau, an agreement by Gov. Bob Taft and two former aides to plead no contest to ethics charges and pending charges against two other former Taft aides.

Noe is accused of stealing from the investment by writing checks, sometimes for hundreds of thousands of dollars each, knowing the money was not his to use.

more...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060213/ap_on_re_us/ohio_scandal

[ProSense]

1. DNC: 53 for Noe Means Three For Bush

DNC: 53 for Noe Means Three For Bush

2/13/2006 2:18:00 PM
To: State Desk, Political Reporter

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

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 /U.S. Newswire/ -- An Ohio court today indicted scandal-plagued Republican campaign contributor and Bush-Cheney Pioneer Tom Noe on 53 felony counts stemming from his involvement in a scheme that bilked the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation out of $13 million. The charges, including 11 counts of theft, 11 money laundering counts, 8 counts of tampering with records, and 22 forgery counts, could carry a maximum sentence of 175 years in prison. (Toledo Blade, 02/13/06).

Today's charges follow Noe's indictment last year on federal charges of illegally funneling $45,400 to President Bush's 2004 campaign. (Columbus Dispatch, 02/13/06) Those contributions helped Noe attain the highly coveted "Bush Pioneer" status, meaning he steered at least $100,000 to the President's reelection campaign. Noe is the third Bush Pioneer to be indicted. President Bush has refused to return any of the money Noe raised for his campaign.

"The indictment against Tom Noe demonstrates how pervasive the Republican culture of corruption is in Washington and Columbus," said Democratic National Committee spokesman Damien LaVera. "Tom Noe stole millions from Ohio workers and used it to help elect a governor who became the first convicted criminal to lead Ohio and a President whose Administration is even more corrupt than Richard Nixon's.

"Together, America can do better. President Bush needs to return the tainted money that Tom Noe and the other indicted fundraisers raised for his campaign, and the Republicans in Columbus and Washington need to join Democrats in fighting to provide Ohioans and all Americans with the honest leadership and open government they deserve."

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=60926

[zann725]

4. That these indictments PROVE criminally-funded outcome of '04 Election

at ALL levels...should NOT go undiscussed.

Plus, as the Dems have said all along (Kerry included), all we needed to formally dispute the '04 results...was a "smoking gun."

Well, all bad puns aside, due to Darth's buckshot-gate...we DO have that "smoking gun" now. So come on, FIFTY-THREE indictments...more than ONE for each state...PROVES the '04 Election was ILLEGALLY funded at ALL levels...and therefore, the results (Shrub's included) "tainted." Enough talk about waiting until '08 Dems...here's your chance to bring up EF in '04 again LEGALLY. 53 indictments to nearly all levels of Repugs in govt elected in '04...Prez and Gov. of CA as well.

And we now have (courtesy of Darth)...a truly "smoking gun."

If not NOW, WHEN? On the offensive, Dems. They're "down"...they're wingless and "penned"...like those birds Darth was so inhumanely shooting. Let's win back this country...starting by re-examining ALL 53 indictments and the elected officials all those illegal funds HELPED elect. Win back those seats...and we win back the Congress, Senate AND the Presidency.

[JohnWxy]

2. Some good news for a change. Thanks. Recommended.

I'm going to email Corporate Network News depts daring them to REPORT THIS!

Anyone who is so inclined suggest you use congress.org/media guide IT's EASY!

[ProSense]

3. Noe stole from funds until May 26 (Investigate the AG and Gov of OH)

Article published Wednesday, February 15, 2006

Noe accused of stealing from funds until May 26

Petro, Montgomery waited to act

By STEVE EDER and JAMES DREW
BLADE STAFF WRITERS

COLUMBUS - The 53-count indictment filed Monday against Tom Noe claims the coin dealer continued to defraud Ohio's $50 million rare-coin funds long after Attorney General Jim Petro and State Auditor Betty Montgomery first learned about problems with the investment.

For nearly two months after The Blade first reported on April 3 about problems with the coin funds, Mr. Petro and Ms. Montgomery failed to take action.

The indictment in Lucas County Common Pleas Court accuses Mr. Noe of continuing to steal from the coin funds, tampering with records, and engaging in corrupt behavior between April 3 and May 26, when the state shut down the coin funds.

Five of the 53 felony counts deal with crimes allegedly committed after April 3. They include:

more...


http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060215/NEWS24/602150438/-1/RSS

[ProSense]

5. More info...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2461949&mesg_id=2461949