HAMILTON — Mark A. Conese will fight to keep his job on the Butler County Board of Elections during a three-day hearing that begins today in Columbus.

        During a disciplinary hearing, the first of its kind under Ohio Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell, Mr. Conese will attempt to show why he shouldn't be removed from the board. Mr. Blackwell accuses Mr. Conese of helping to coerce political campaign money from a board of elections employee, Brent Dixon.

        Mr. Blackwell's office has subpoenaed Mr. Dixon and a dozen other Butler County residents to testify before Hearing Officer Richard G. Lillie, a Cleveland attorney. He will make a recommendation to Mr. Blackwell.

        Mr. Conese, a lawyer and former Domestic Relations Court judge, is paid nearly $15,000 a year as a board member.

        The allegation against Mr. Conese centers on a March 1, 2000, meeting that included him, Mr. Dixon and fellow board member Donald Daiker. The Democrat board members are accused of trying to persuade Mr. Dixon to turn over his part-time salary — $3,000 to $4,000 — to the county Democratic Party.

        Mr. Dixon secretly recorded the conversation.

        Two other active Butler Democrats, Donna Nicol and West Chester Township Trustee Catherine Stoker, blew the whistle. They also are scheduled to testify in this week's hearing.

        Others on the witness list include:

        • Mr. Daiker, who avoided a similar hearing by resigning from the Butler elections board.

        • Board of Elections Deputy Director Betty McGary.

        • Carlos Todd, former Butler Republican Party chairman.

        • Col. Richard K. Jones, the Butler sheriff's chief deputy.

        • Philip O. Morrical Jr., a board employee who resigned in the midst of the probe.

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