Wednesday, November 10, 1999
Lawmaker to urge employee-gift ban
Butler prosecutor to be his example
BY JANICE MORSE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
John Holcomb
|
An Ohio lawmaker is scheduled to argue in Columbus today for a law that would ban political officeholders from accepting campaign donations from their employees — and he will use the “egregious example” of the Butler County prosecutor's office.
“I think we have a chance to persuade some people that this practice is wrong,” said Rep. Jeff Jacobson, R-Dayton. “I'm going to use the egregious example in Butler County to demonstrate as forcefully as I can why this should be illegal.”
Last month, The Cincinnati Enquirer revealed that about 80 percent of Butler County Prosecutor John F. Holcomb's employees were regularly giving 2 percent of their salaries to his campaign fund — one of the largest among county-level officeholders in southwestern Ohio.
The practice of public employees giving money to their boss' campaigns is legal at the county level as long as the con tributions are voluntary and unsolicited. But some of Mr. Holcomb's ex-employees said they felt pressured to give, while some current employees said they gave willingly. No one has said Mr. Holcomb personally asked for the money.
Mr. Holcomb, who defends the so-called “2 Percent Club,” said many other politicians have accepted campaign funds from employees — a fact Mr. Jacobson doesn't deny.
Mr. Holcomb has also alleged that he, the lone Democrat holding countywide elected office in Butler County, was being unfairly singled out by Republicans like Mr. Jacobson.
Mr. Jacobson, who is to testify before the elections and technology committee, said he will call for more hearings where Mr. Holcomb and other opponents can speak.
The Ohio Attorney General's Office on Tuesday confirmed that a 1995 law prohibits state-level elected officials from accepting campaign contributions from their employees. Employee contributions should be outlawed at all levels of government, Mr. Jacobson said.
Prosecutor allegations need outside investigation
Pipe bomb, threat rattle high schools
Tug of war over a 'holy place'
Warm temperatures stay with us
Lawmaker to urge employee-gift ban
Prosecutor allegations need outside investigation
Hustler store faces new charges
Jews say Baptists' recruiting deceptive
Senate OKs tobacco money plan
Freeways a litter sore spot
Hospital tab a ticket to freedom
Magnet programs may be reduced
NKU basks in funding news
Pilarczyk recovering after angioplasty
Racist brochures litter Anderson
Rhodes, Luebbers consider county commission run
Union Twp. voters may dump name
Voinovich says he's for Bush
Health fair targets men in the city
New tools for diabetes
Online database helps blood supply
Girl Scout alternative
'Light It Up' shines beyond familiar fare
'Pokemon' only for the truly game
Regis cured Clifton trivia addict
Butler County faces Channel 2 blackout
Accused teacher won't be charged
Bank largess leads to Internet access
Club for mentally ill offers welcome
Court for mentally ill offenders advocated
Court refuses tower case
Detective: Suspect told about killing
Environmentalists: Utilities seek shield from clear air laws
Fernald back to work after anthrax scare
Fox highway just about ready
Kenton to install new storm sirens
Mason businesses to expand
Officer resigns after pleading guilty to drunken driving
Purchase in Norwood under cloud
TRISTATE DIGEST
Waste gripes heard
