Betty Montgomery (R-Perrysburg) is running a TV ad that smears State Sen generic cialis. Marc Dann (D-Liberty Township) for acting as a criminal defense attorney for a man charged with pandering obscenity involving a minor. The ad quotes Dann as saying at the sentencing hearing that the defendant had "good intentions in trying to reach out to the young children in the neighborhood."

Now the trial judge in the case, a registered Republican, is calling the ad "outrageously inappropriate." Judge R cialis. Scott Krichbaum of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court handled the case online pharmacy viagra. What was left out of the ad was the remainder of Dann's statement, that reaching out to kids is "just not an appropriate role for" the defendant.

Judge Krichbaum told The Youngstown Vindicator that "attack ads on people who represent criminal defendants are done in poor taste and misrepresent what the justice system is all about," and that Dann did an "exemplary job" in the case. A former criminal defense attorney, the judge added "when a campaign tries to degenerate an attorney for a duty performed, it should be frowned upon. It's not what the system is about. Criminal defense attorneys stand up for the constitutional rights of individuals generic viagra."

The Montgomery campaign defended the ad, saying that Dann has the right to defend a "child molester, but the Montgomery campaign has the right to speak about it viagra online." The defendant, however, was neither charged with nor proven to have engaged in child molestation .

Dann said the claim is ridiculous and without merit. Montgomery is "attacking me for doing my job while my criticism is of her not doing her job to expose corruption in state government," Dann said, adding "I'm concerned that good lawyers will be discouraged from running for office" because of Montgomery's attacks."

posted by Yellow Dog Sammy @ 1:04 PM

(Toledo)- State Senator Marc Dann, the Democratic nominee for Ohio Attorney General, publically called on the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) Director William Mabe to release an internal audit which allegedly shows that some employer’s BWC rates and assessments were reduced after complaining to their state legislators about the high premiums they were paying. Senator Dann, who first asked for this audit to be released at the beginning of October, spoke directly to Director Mabe today and again asked for the release of the audit.

“Once again, the public records law in Ohio is being ignored,” said Senator Dann. “The allegations of impropriety in the BWC are serious and deserve a closer look. By not releasing the audit, it begins to appear as just another cover-up. I have asked Director Mabe to reconsider his decision and release the audit to me by Friday.”

On October 4, 2006 Senator Dann requested by letter all the documents related to the audit on premium rates and assessments paid by public and private employers as part of Ohio’s public records law. Keith Elliot reportedly completed the internal audit requested by Dann. Elliot, an internal Auditor within the BWC, recently testified in the Noe ‘Coingate’ trial as a witness for the prosecution and is credited for raising questions within the BWC about their investment in rare coins.

“Today I stand at the Lucas County Courthouse, where ‘Coingate’ mastermind Tom Noe is on trial for stealing millions of dollars from Ohio’s injured workers and ask for the BWC to do what’s right,” Senator Dann said. “Once again the BWC has the chance to allow the bright light of public scrutiny to shine upon their work. They should release the audit immediately and implement recommendations that level the playing field of premiums for all businesses in this state.”

Although the Betty Montgomery and her campaign would like everyone to forget it, she played a primary role in making sure an amendment exempting rare coins from Ohio’s sales tax was inserted into the state’s biennial budget in 1989—and that’s no lie.

As part of a complaint filed with the Ohio Election Commission, Montgomery had claimed that the Dann campaign lied when it called attention to her work on her long time friend and campaign contributor’s behalf to newspaper reporters. Yesterday the OEC found that there was no probable cause to move forward with a hearing on that allegation. “Ms. Montgomery has spent a lot of time trying to run away from her decades-long relationship with her friend and patron,” Dann for Ohio Communications Director Leo Jennings said after the hearing. “The fact is, she can’t run far enough or spend enough money to fool the voters.”

During the same hearing, OEC members rejected a motion filed by attorneys for Montgomery’s committee seeking to have her removed from a complaint Senator Dann filed alleging that Noe used at least one employee, Sue Metzger, as a conduit through which he passed campaign contributions to candidates for state office, including Montgomery . Commission Vice Chair Willliam T. Booth and members William Ogg and William Mallory voted to reject the motion. Chair Catherine Cunningham and member Harry Shapiro voted in favor. Members Benjamin Marsh and Martin Parks have recused themselves from ruling on the case. At one point in the argument over whether or not the complaint filed against the Montgomery Committee should be dismissed, Mr. Booth pointed toward the Commission’s witness chair and commented that anyone who had nothing to hide would be eager to sit there and that anyone with something to hide would resist.

Senator Dann filed the complaint after reading a September 13 Toledo Blade story in which former Noe employee Sue Metzger admitted that she passed $3,000 she received from Noe to a variety of state candidates, including then-GOP gubernatorial hopeful Betty Montgomery. Such contributions are a violation of Section 3517.13 (G) of the Ohio Revised Code and are punishable by a fine of $10,000 per incident. The complaint names Noe, Metzger, and the Betty Montgomery committee as defendants. Ms. Metzger testified in Noe’s trial in Lucas County Common Pleas Court on Tuesday and said Noe used the coin fund like an “ATM” whenever he needed money.

After meeting with counsel for the Montgomery Committee and for Tom Noe, Attorney Richard Brunner who represents Senator Dann, agreed that he would not attempt to depose anyone other than Ms. Metzger before the November 7 general election or the end of Noe’s trial. He is permitted, however, to ask the parties to the complaint to produce documents. Those attending the hearing laughed quietly when Noe’s attorney said his client was currently “occupied” and could not be deposed.

Senator Dann said he is glad the OEC decided to allow the case to progress. “At this moment we have no idea how many people may have passed money from Noe to state candidates or other entities, how much money may have been contributed, or who may have known that the law was being broken,” Senator Dann said. “The investigation should provide the answer to all those questions—and they are answers the people of this state who expect their elected officials to obey and enforce the law—deserve.”

from Dayton Daily News


Letter to the editor

The Dayton Daily News has endorsed Betty Montgomery for attorney general based on her experience. Experience gives one the capability of doing a good job, but certainly doesn't ensure a good job. We've all worked with people who have been in their jobs a long time but aren't doing a good job.

With all this experience, Montgomery has overlooked a fundamental principle in our justice system. She has criticized her opponent, Marc Dann, for defending a sexual predator. Every American accused of a crime is entitled to his day in court, with a lawyer to defend him. Dann also works for victims' rights in the justice system.

He fought tenaciously against the bill that deprives crime victims of their right to have a judge or jury decide fair compensation for their losses.

We need Marc Dann to be our next attorney general.

Sharon Montgomery

Gahann

from Dayton Daily News

Letter to the editor

How could the Dayton Daily News endorse Betty Montgomery over Marc Dann for attorney general?

She has more experience? In what? Turning a blind eye to corruption? Keeping the "revolving door" in Columbus going?

She and Jim Petro traded places in 2002, and now she wants her old job back.

Under her watch as auditor, Montgomery signed off on the documentation that allowed the "Coingate" scandal to go undetected, and she did not catch $1.7 billion in questionable appropriations by the Hamilton County Department of Job and Family Services, among other government mistakes and scandals.

Dann is a ranking Democrat on the Ohio Senate Judiciary Committee. He helped expose the "Coingate" scandal by successfully suing Gov. Bob Taft when Taft refused to release public records.

As attorney general, Dann will rid our state government of corruption. He will be as tough on white-collar crime as he will be on the fight against the production, trafficking and consumption of illegal drugs.

Linda Borgert

Beavercreek

Tuesday, October 17, 2006
from The Columbus Dispatch

Letter to the editor

Could you spell out in a tad more detail how Republican state attorney general candidate Betty D. Montgomery got "her job done in a nononsense way" as state auditor ("For attorney general," Dispatch editorial, Oct. 8)?

I am under the impression that there have been some money-mishandling scandals, especially by members of her party, that went undetected for years. Put that to rest for me and I might vote for her.

KEITH MITCHELL

Columbus

Tuesday, October 17,2006
from LancasterEagle-Gazette


To the Editor:

The Republican candidate for attorney general, Betty Montgomery, claims she ran an outstanding consumer protection section when she previously held the office. It's not true.

Montgomery's lack of concern for consumers was shown when a Cleveland firm filed a class-action lawsuit accusing many hospitals of violating the Consumer Sales Practices Act. The lawsuit ultimately stopped them from charging fees as high as $23 a page for copies of medical records.

As attorney general, Montgomery had the primary responsibility for enforcing the law. But she declined to enter the lawsuit and, in effect, sided with the powerful hospital lobby. She did so even though the federal government had determined that 7 cents a page was fair compensation when hospitals provide copies of medical records to peer review organizations.
Montgomery also was unmoved by reports that the fees were so high that some persons could not afford access to their medical records. She knew they needed the records to enforce various legal rights.

It was unconscionable that Montgomery allowed such outrageous fees to continue. To have an attorney general who is on the public's side, voters should support Democrat Marc Dann.

- Joseph C. Sommer

Attorney-at-law

Lancaster

posted by Joe R.
Fundamental Truths Blog

Much to my surprise I heard Betty Montgomery’s radio spot this morning on Progressive 1230 in Columbus. First of all thanks to her campaign for supporting progressive radio with your advertising dollars.

Second I find it interesting that spot claims Marc Dann “falsely accuses Betty Montgomery of being involved in the Tom Noe ethics scandal.”

Let's look at the facts shall we.

Event: A 2004 Audit of the BWC raised concerns about the rare coin investment.

Auditor Montgomery’s response: She did nothing

November 2004 Bush wins presidential election, after thousands in campaign contributions from Tom Noe directly and illegally.

Auditor Montgomery’s response: She received $8100 in campaign contributions from Noe as well.

April 3, 2005 Toledo Blade Runs a story detailing concerns about BWC investments with Tom Noe’s rare coin business.

Auditor Montgomery’s Response: She did nothing

April 7, 2005 the state's inspector general says he will review Ohio's investment of millions of dollars in rare coins. Gov. Bob Taft defends the deal, saying Noe is making money for the state

Auditor Montgomery’s Response: She did nothing

April 27, 2005 Noe's attorney confirms that federal investigators are looking into whether Noe tried to bypass election donation limits by giving others money that they contributed to President Bush's re-election campaign.

Auditor Montgomery’s Response: She did nothing

May 10, 2005 -Noe resigns from Ohio Board of Regents and the Ohio Turnpike Commission. The Ohio Ethics Commission later says he did not file required disclosures that he was doing business with the state while on the commissions.

Auditor Montgomery’s Response: She did nothing

May 11, 2005 The Toledo Blade asks the Ohio Supreme Court to order the state Bureau of Worker's Compensation to release uncensored records of the bureau's $50 million investment with Noe.

Auditor Montgomery’s Response: She did nothing

May 12, 2005 -The Blade reports that Brian Hicks, Taft's former chief of staff, rented Noe's Florida vacation home at below-market rates.

Auditor Montgomery’s Response: She did nothing

May 18, 2005 Five of Ohio's seven Supreme Court justices recuse themselves from any public records cases that involve Noe and the coin investment. The five are all received campaign contributions from Noe.

May 16, 2005 The story now being picked up by every media outlet in the state along with a number of national media outlets. Investigations are underway by the inspector general, Lucas County Prosecutor and Federal Prosecutors. It has been a year since the initial audit showing concerns with the BWC investments landed on her desk and over a month since the fraud was reported by the Toledo Blade.

The State Auditor Betty Montgomery whose job is according to the constitution of the of Ohio is: “The auditor of state shall audit all public offices as provided in this chapter. The auditor of state also may audit the accounts of private institutions, associations, boards, and corporations receiving public money for their use and may require of them annual reports in such form as the auditor of state prescribes.”

Yes finally on May 16th, 2005, the State Auditor begins an investigation.

Your right Betty Montgomery, you don’t appear to be involved in the Tom Noe Coin Scandal. Unforntunatly for Ohio, it was your job to be involved.

Now Betty wants to play Attorney General again, the taxpayers of Ohio can’t afford that.

Sources: http://www.blogforohio.com/, Ohio Citizen Action, NBC24-Toledo, Progressive 1230-Columbus

Yesterday’s ruling by Federal Judge Kathleen O’Malley that invalidated oppressive voter registration regulations drafted and imposed earlier this year by GOP Secretary of State and gubernatorial hopeful Ken Blackwell was a victory for democracy and the citizens of Ohio. In her ruling, Judge O’Malley said Blackwell’s rules were ``inconsistent with and undermine the purpose of the National Voting Rights Act,” and that some provisions would clearly chill the type of voter registration efforts by that have traditionally been conducted by community and civic groups, labor unions, and churches.

She’s right—and that’s why a number of groups, including Project Vote, Common Cause Ohio, the People for the American Way Foundation, Communities of Faith Assemblies Church, and the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) sued to overturn the rules and why I filed an amicus brief supporting their position on behalf of more than 20 members of the General Assembly. I’m pleased that the Judge agreed with the position we took in the suit and glad that Mr. Blackwell, who has now had one of his anti-democratic rule declared unconstitutional by a federal court for the second time in two years, will not appeal the decision. After all, he’s probably too busy figuring out how he can fall farther behind in the race for governor.

Along with protecting our electoral system, Judge O’Malley’s enlightened ruling does something else: it highlights the basic difference between Republicans and Democrats when it comes to the right to vote: the GOP likes it when only people like them have it. We Democrats want everyone to go to the polls whether they like us or not.

If that sounds harsh, there’s lots of evidence to prove my point—and we don’t even have to go back to the debacle of 2000 when the Bushites, including Blackwell, flocked to Florida to stop a recount that could have put Al Gore in the White House. We can look at 2004 when Ken wrote ridiculous rules requiring that voter registration forms be printed on extra heavy—and much more expensive—paper. That rule, like the one that was the subject of this year’s lawsuit, was tossed out by a Federal Judge who said the ultra-conservative Blackwell was “attempting to accomplish the same result in Ohio in 2004 that occurred in Florida in 2000.”

At least Ken’s consistent—consistently committed to eroding our democracy.

Unfortunately, he’s not the only Republican who believes voter suppression is preferable to voter participation. For more than a year some conservative Republicans in Congress shamelessly attempted to stop reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the landmark federal law that makes it possible for tens of millions of Americans to cast ballots free from the fear and terror that marred voter registration drives and elections in our nation for decades.

Here in Ohio, the GOP majorities in the House and Senate drafted and earlier this year passed HB 3 which imposed a number of constitutionally questionable requirements clearly aimed at making voting more difficult. In fact, Blackwell’s rules criminalizing voter registration acitivities were written to implement portions of this draconian legislation which was passed over the vehement objections of every Democratic member of the General Assembly.

Thankfully, we have three branches of government and least one of them, in this case the federal judiciary, appears to understand that voting is a basic right that should be promoted and protected—not subverted for political purposes.

And there’s one more thing for which we should be thankful: Republican arrogance. They were so sure that they would control every statewide office, including that of attorney general, for another four years that when they passed House Bill 3 they gave the AG the authority to independently investigate and prosecute election law violations for the first time in Ohio history.

They did it because they thought a GOP AG as opposed to voting rights as they are would be a real asset during the 2008 presidential election. Imagine, I’m sure they said, how much easier it will be to keep people we don’t like away from the polls if someone on our side has the power to investigate and prosecute them for having the unmitigated gall to try and vote.

Now imagine how they feel today: Ohioans are on the verge of electing me attorney general. And instead of using the power of the office to keep people away from the polls, I’ll use it to enforce the Voting Rights Act, oppose anti-democratic legislation like HB 3, and ensure that every Ohioan who is eligible and desires to has the opportunity to vote and that every vote cast counts.

That’s not what the Republicans want, but it is what the U.S. and the Ohio Constitution demands. I would like to thank Judge O’Malley for upholding both. And I look forward to the day I take office as Attorney General so I can do the same.

A lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court challenges the provision of House Bill 3 that requires naturalized citizens to show their naturalization papers each and every time they vote.( House Bill 3 was the voter supression bill that was rammed through the General Assembly this spring) I commend my primary opponent Subodh Chandra for leading the charge to bring this issue to the forefront.

The requirement that has been challenged is discriminatory and patently unconstitutional. (Did I mention that I voted against H.B. 3?)

This issue is personal for me.

Many of you have met my daughter Mia who travels the state with me as my driver and traveling staff member. Mia's name is actually Mavilya and she was born in Uzbekistan. She became my daughter when Alyssa and I took custody of her while her mother pursued the American Dream by training to become a Family Doctor in New York.

Mia and her mother left their native country and left everything behind them because they were victims of religious and political persecution. They have worked diligently to legally gain their American citizenship.

I'm proud to say that because her mother was naturalized before Mia's 18th Birthday she has voted in every election since she has become an adult.

Mia is every bit as American as my native born children Charlie and Jessie and like them she should be entitled to unfettered access to exercise her constitutional rights, including the right to vote.

Attorney General Jim Petro should not fight the effort to have this law declared unconstitutional. In fact he should join the Plaintiff's legal efforts to encourage the Federal Judge to issue an injunction against this discriminatory and unconstitutional law.

Please join me in calling on Attorney General Petro to acknowledge the plaintiff's claims and reopen the voting booth to all Ohioans. Contact Petro's office here.

Mia, my son Charlie, and I at the Democratic National Convention in Boston.

Ohio Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association Endorses Marc Dann for Attorney General, joins list of First Responders supporting Democrat’s bid to change Ohio



The Ohio Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association which represents law enforcement officers, including ranking officers and chiefs, at 221 police departments, sheriff’s offices, correctional facilities, and other entities across the state of Ohio, officially endorsed State Senator Marc Dann’s candidacy for Ohio Attorney General. OPBA Executive Director Terry Gallagher notified Senator Dann of the group’s endorsement in a letter faxed to the campaign late yesterday. The OPBA is the latest group representing Ohio’s First Responders to endorse the Liberty Township Democrat. The Ohio Association of Professional Firefighters announced their support for his candidacy earlier this summer.

Mr. Gallagher said the OPBA endorsed Senator Dann because they appreciate his strong record of introducing and voting for legislation that has strengthened the criminal justice system in Ohio as well as his advocacy for issues that improve the lives of law enforcement officers. “Marc Dann understands and respects our members’ commitment and professionalism,” Mr. Gallagher said. “We are confident that as our next Attorney General he will continue to support our efforts to protect the public and the lives and health of law enforcement officers and fire fighters across the state.”

“I am gratified and humbled to receive the support of the men and women who are on the front lines of the battle to keep our families and our neighborhoods safe,” Senator Dann said when he learned of the OPBA endorsement. “The officers and members of the OPBA know that they can count on me to work hard everyday to provide the resources local police and prosecutors the resources and tools they need to do their jobs as effectively and safely as possible. They know I won’t grandstand on law enforcement issues and pretend to be Ohio’s ‘top cop,’ but that I will do all I can to make them the best law enforcement officers they can be.”

PRESS RELEASE From State Senator Marc Dann
Contacts: Leo Jennings (330) 759-9048

"Ain't no power like the power of the people cuz the power of the people don't stop!"

"Fair wage to help us get ahead!"

The people of Columbus were fired up with determination as they rallied on the steps of the State House and prepared to march to the Secretary of State's office with 720,000 signed petitions in favor of raising the minimum wage in Ohio.

Today's Plain Dealer and
Dispatch report on the cost of Bob Taft's false claims of executive privlilege.


The Tribune-Chronicle details the troubling consequences of the Supreme Court's decision.


Also the <i>Blade gets to the heart of the political nature of the court's decision.

The Akron Beacon Journal gets it right in today's editorial:

"...the privilege has been created, providing a shield for future governors who descend into corruption and attempt to hide the record from public view."