TOLEDO -- Ohio Governor Bob Taft admits he failed to disclose a number of golf outings as required by state law. The Ohio Ethics Commission is reviewing the matter.
One of his golf partners was Republican Fundraiser Tom Noe, the man at the center of the state rare coin investment scandal. Taft is already under fire for $10-12 million missing from a Bureau of Workers Compensation coin fund managed by Noe. Then it was revealed the Bureau also lost $215 million in a hedge fund investment.
Despite calls for his resignation over the Commission investigation, Taft plans tgo stay in office. "As soon as I became aware of the errors, I initiated a disclosure to the Ohio Ethics Commission. They have a process. I'm respecting that. There's a lot I'd like to tell you today but I can't," says Taft.
Ohio House Minority Leader Chris Redfern of Catawba Island says it's too early to rush to judgement and Taft should stay in office. "Because he's the Chief Executive Officer of the state. Anytime a Governor needs to resign or step down, I think it has to be for substantial reasons. I don't think not writing down a number of golf outings is reason enough to resign," says Redfern.
In March of 2001, A Commission memo specified that golf rounds should be reported as gifts. Commission Executive director David Freel says Taft is one of several officials who forgot to include some items on required financial disclosure statements.
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