Lucas County GOP failed to report 2008 in-kind donation
Written by Kristen Rapin | | krapin@toledofreepress.comProsecutors have been informed that an in-kind donation given to the Lucas County Republican Party was not reported in accordance with state campaign finance laws.
In November 2008, members of the Ohio Republican Party were in Toledo assisting with the John McCain presidential campaign. The rooms they stayed in were supposed to be charged to the Ohio Republican Party, but were mistakenly charged to a Lucas County Republican Party member instead.
Lucas County GOP executives told the member they would deal with the hotel, a source inside the party said.
After mix-ups with room charges for Ohio Republican Party members, the Lucas County Republican Party was compensated for the cost of the 2008 election victory party, which was unrelated to the room incident.
Mike Sapara, general manager of the Park Inn, confirmed that the party was not charged for its victory party, a cost of $1,081.67.
According to the Ohio Revised Code, section 3517.01, “In-kind contribution means anything of value other than money that is used to influence the results of an election or is transferred to or used in support of or in opposition to a candidate, campaign committee, legislative campaign fund, political party, political action committee, or political contributing entity and that is made with the consent of, in coordination, cooperation, or consultation with, or at the request or suggestion of the benefited candidate, committee, fund, party, or entity.”
No statement of an in-kind donation has been reported by the GOP for services from the Park Inn in the 2008 post-general report or the amended 2008 pre-general report filed Dec.11, 2008.
The incident has been reported to Cuyahoga County Prosecutors office for further investigation.
Jon Stainbrook, whose chairmanship of the Lucas County GOP is being disputed by Jeff Simpson, did not return phone calls seeking comment. Stainbrook was a failed candidate for county auditor and twice lost bids for election to city council.
Currently, the Cuyahoga County Prosecutors office is investigating an alleged signature fraud case involving campaign finance forms filed during Stainbrook’s chairmanship. The case was sent to Cleveland on Oct. 26 after Lucas County Chief Investigator Frank Stiles concluded his investigation because of “allegations that are flying around” in the Toledo market.
Toledo Free Press Editor in Chief Michael S. Miller sent a letter to the Lucas County Board of Elections and Ohio Secretary of State on July 30, alerting them to potential inconsistencies among signatures on Lucas County GOP campaign finance reports and other official documents.
According to the Ohio Revised Code, section 3517.10, “The statement of contributions and expenditures shall be signed by the person completing the form.” Under Ohio law, according to the office of the Ohio Secretary of State, “A fifth-degree felony conviction [of election falsification] may result in a prison sentence of six to 12 months and/or a fine of up to $2,500.”
Other campaign finance issues have occurred under Stainbrook’s chairmanship. The Lucas County Republican Party filed its semi-annual campaign finance report on July 31 and received a letter of 21-day notice to amend the report Sept. 11.
Among the items requiring clarification, the Lucas County Board of elections requested “receipts for the reimbursements for Stainbrook in the amount of $2534.98 and Meghan Gallagher for the amount of $600,” that were reported in the semi-annual report statement of expenditures.
The Board of Elections voted to send a second 21-day notice letter to amend the outstanding semi-annual report before reporting the incident to the Ohio Elections Commission on Dec. 8. A second 21-day notice letter was sent by certified letter on Dec. 8 and signed for on Dec.9. The Republican Party has until Dec. 30 to file its amended report.
As of press time Dec. 22, no amended report has been filed.
Tags: Jon Stainbrook
