DNC: Thomas Noe and Coingate (Bush in Ohio today)

[ProSense]

Press release:

DNC: Thomas Noe and Coingate

47 minutes ago

To: State Desk

Contact: Karen Finney of the Democratic National Committee, 202-863-8148

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The following was released today by the Democratic National Committee regarding Thomas Noe:

Today, President Bush travels to Ohio. Thomas Noe, a prominent Bush fundraiser who was publicly thanked by the President at an event in Ohio in 2004, is unlikely to receive the same praise today after being hit with a 53-count indictment. Noe had key links to Ken Mehlman and Karl Rove, as well as Governor Taft and other Ohio Republicans

Noe was the "man to see" in northwest Ohio if you were a Republican who wanted to run for office, he was also a Bush Pioneer, raising $100,000 in 2004 for Bush's reelection, he is also under six separate federal corruption investigations. In the spring of 2005 Noe, a rare coin dealer, revealed the he had "lost" $13 million of Ohio's money that they had given to him to invest. Noe is also accused of making $45,400 in illegal donations to Bush's reelection campaign. This week, Noe was charged in a 53-count indictment relating to an Ohio state corruption probe.

Republican Chairman Under At Least Six Separate Investigations. "He also happened to be a dealer in rare coins. And in 1998, the Ohio Workers' Compensation Bureau agreed to invest in a rare-coin fund that he controlled as a way to hedge its holdings in stocks and bonds, an investment that experts have called highly unorthodox. But this week, Mr. Noe's lawyers said that as much as $13 million of the state's $50 million investment in his two funds could not be accounted for. Mr. Noe, meanwhile, has become the focus of at least six investigations or audits involving either his handling of the coin investments or his campaign fund-raising. Federal investigators are also looking into his contributions to President Bush's 2004 campaign as a 'Pioneer,' raising more than $100,000." (New York Times, 5/28/05)

Noe Hit With 53 Ohio State Indictments. "The man whose passion for politics and rare coins helped him become a wealthy player in state Republican circles was charged yesterday in a 53-count indictment, as part of a state government corruption probe that's now moving into another phase. Thomas W. Noe began stealing from the $50 million rare-coin investment he managed for the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation around the first day he received state money in 1998, and his illegal actions continued until it was shut down this past May, the indictment said." (The Columbus Dispatch, 2/14/06)

Noe Also Indicted For Illegally Donating To Bush Presidential Campaign. "Noe also was indicted by a federal grand jury this past fall on charges of illegally funneling $45,400 to President Bush, and that case likely will be heard first, Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien said." (The Columbus Dispatch, 2/14/05)


Bush-Cheney 2004

Noe was Regional Chairman Of Bush-Cheney Campaign And Frequently Spoke with Rove. As a regional chairman of the campaign, Noe had frequent contact with Karl Rove, the architect of the President's re-election. And Ohio, it turned out, was the pivotal state in the election, narrowly pushing President Bush to victory. (Toledo Blade, 4/28/05)

Bush Thanked Noe For "His Leadership". On Oct. 29, 2004 at a campaign rally in Toledo, Ohio, Bush singled out Noe for his work on the campaign. Bush said, "I want to thank the grassroots activists. I want to thank my friends Bernadette Noe and Tom Noe for their leadership in Lucas County." After the speech, Bush and the first lady met with Noe and his wife backstage, to thank them for their "work on the campaign." (Toledo Blade, 10/30/04; Bush Remarks, 10/29/04)

Noe was Pioneer For Bush's Reelection And Raised At Least $100,000. According to FEC filings Thomas Noe joined the elite ranks, and gained the access, of the Bush Pioneers, raising at least $100,000 for Bush's reelection campaign. (New York Times, 5/28/05)

Noe Under Federal Investigation for Making Illegal Donations to Bush Campaign. According to FEC regulations, individuals can only donate $2,000 to a presidential candidate in the primary and another $2,000 in the general election. Noe is under investigation for possibly laundering additional contributions through other individuals, to skirt campaign finance rules. According to the Toledo Blade, "Gregory A. White, U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, confirmed that his office, in conjunction with the FBI, is looking into Mr. Noe, who was chairman of the Bush-Cheney campaign in northwest Ohio. 'We have publicly confirmed the investigation of Mr. Noe in relation to some campaign contributions,' Mr. White said last night. He said the investigation has been ongoing for a couple of months, but declined to comment on its details. Officials with the U.S. Justice Department in Washington are aware of the investigation, Mr. White said." (Toledo Blade, 4/28/05)

Noe Was Bush Pioneer And Opened His Own Wallet For Bush. According to FEC filings, Thomas Noe has donated thousands of dollars to National Republican politicians. Besides raising at least $100,000 for Bush's reelection and becoming a Bush Pioneer, Noe also donated his own money to the Republican political machine. During the 2004 election Noe donated $2,000 to the Bush- Cheney campaign and $2,000 to the Republican National Committee. Also, in 2000, Noe donated $1,000 to the Bush-Cheney campaign. (http://www.tray.com)

Ken Mehlman and Karl Rove

Noe Attended White House Strategy Session With Ken Mehlman and Possibly Karl Rove, While His Wife Was An Ohio Elections Official. According to emails released by Ohio Governor Bob Taft's office, Thomas Noe used his influence to obtain an invitation to a White House ceremony honoring the Ohio State University football team. The emails also revealed that once Noe had gotten into the White House, he was invited to attend an "Ohio political strategy session." According to additional emails, the meeting was attended by Ken Mehlman and Collister "Coddy" Johnson, Bush's campaign manager and field director, Karl Rove was also listed as a possible attendant of the meeting. At the time Noe's wife Bernadette was an official in Lucas County, Ohio, an area that experienced extreme voting difficulties during the 2004 election, causing Secretary of State Ken Blackwell to ask for her resignation. (Toledo Blade, 7/7/05)

Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert and Treasury Secretary John Snowe

Noe Was Recommended To Coinage Advisory Committee By Hastert and Nominated By Secretary of Treasury John Snow. On April 23, President Bush signed into law the "American 5-Cent Coin Design Continuity Act of 2003" (Public Law 108-15), which established the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC). According to a Treasury Department press release Noe was recommended by Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) and nominated by Snow. (Treasury Department Press Release, 5/16/03)

Sen. George Voinovich (news, bio, voting record)

Voinovich Administration Approved Ohio's $25 Million Investment in Noe's Coin Scheme. "In the 1990's, Mr. Noe, 50, was chairman of the Republican Party in Lucas County, which includes Toledo. His wife held the same position until last year. He was a friend of Gov. George V. Voinovich, now a senator, whose administration first approved a $25 million investment in Mr. Noe's rare-coin funds in 1998." Noe also, has given $21,000 in the past two years to Voinovich. (Columbus Dispatch, 4/28/05)

Ohio Gov. Bob Taft

Republican Governor Of Ohio, Bob Taft, Pled No Contest To Charges Of Accepting Illegal Gifts, Fined $4,000. Republican Governor of Ohio Bob Taft was indicted on charges of accepting $5,800 in illegal gifts and failing to report them. These gifts include two golf trips with Thomas Noe, the Toledo area business man who was accused of bilking the State pension fund of $13 million dollars and funneling illegal campaign contributions to Republican politicians including Bush. Taft pleaded no contest to the charges, and was fined $4,000. (Washington Post, 8/19/05; New York Times, 5/28/05)

Taft Staff Accepted Gifts From Noe. "Ohio Inspector General Thomas P. Charles asked Taft about his staff receiving benefits, leading to the governor's disclosure of 52 gifts from an array of people -- such as golf outings, meals and hockey tickets -- that he had failed to report as required by public ethics laws. A tearful Taft pleaded no contest Aug. 18 to misdemeanor charges. ... Two Taft aides pleaded no contest to accepting items of value from Noe. Ohio newspapers have identified two other former staff members as having received loans from Noe, who allegedly treated members of the governor's staff so often that dinners were called 'The Noe Supper Club.'" (Washington Post, 11/27/05)


http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnw/20060215/pl_usnw/dnc__thomas_noe_and_coingate121_xml