Reacting swiftly to threats made by Jim Petro, Bob Bennett, and other Republicans, (see the Cleveland Plain Dealer story) State Senator and Ohio Attorney General candidate Marc Dann today established the “Truth Seeker” Fund to support Cuyahoga County Commissioner Tim Hagan’s lawsuit that seeks to end the Ohio GOP’s corrupt pay-to-play system.
Joined by other Democratic statewide candidates and officeholders at a press conference at Ohio Democratic Party Headquarters in Columbus, Dann said it is critically important for the suit to move forward. “More than anything else in the world, Jim Petro, Bob Bennett, Betty Montgomery, Ken Blackwell, and Brian Hicks fear having to testify under oath about the inner-workings of their corrupt pay-to-play system,” Senator Dann stated. “That is why we have to do all we can to support Commissioner Hagan’s efforts to compel them to do just that”
Senator Dann, whose suit to compel the governor to release documents related to the Coingate scandal and to allow current and former aides to submit to depositions under oath is pending before the Ohio Supreme Court, said cases like his and Mr. Hagan’s were the one avenue available to Democrats who are seeking the truth about the connection between the Republican power structure, their big-time campaign contributors, and the millions of dollars in no-bid contracts and special interest legislation those contributions have been buying for more than a decade.
“Because the Republicans who benefit from this corrupt system have repeatedly refused to empower a legislative committee to investigate these abuses, we’ve been forced to turn to the courts to seek the truth,” Senator Dann said. “Now, because they fear what will happen when the truth finally does come out, GOP leaders are attempting to subvert the judicial system by using threats and intimidation. We cannot allow that to happen, and that is why we must do all we can to ensure that Tim’s case moves forward.”
Senator Dann asked that information about the fund be posted on all Democratic websites in the state including those maintained by candidates, the state and local parties, and current officeholders.
To contribute to the Truth Seeker Fund please make checks payable and mail to: The Truth Seeker Fund, 545 East Town Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215. Proceeds will be used solely to support Commissioner Hagan’s lawsuit and to pay the small administrative costs associated with establishing the fund. Contributions to the Truth Seeker Fund are not tax deductible.
There is an old saying that charity begins at home... well so does obeying the letter and the spirit of the law.
I've read too many troubling stories of Dann playing fast & loose with Ohio rules & regs. Doesn't sound like a good choice for the state's top cop.
Though he certainly has strong experience with lawbreaking!
Here is an idea for the campaign's theme song: "I Fought the Law and the Law Won."
p.s. -- don't give me that "The GOP is coming after Dann because they are worried" song & dance. If they were really worried, they'd drop the bombs in the Spring not now.
Posted by: Mike | December 20, 2005 at 11:37 AM