Cincinnati City Council's debate on the Genesis Redevelopment investigation degenerated into an hour-long session of name-calling and finger-pointing Wednesday.

        The city's Office of Municipal Investigationhas been probing the West End housing program since February, trying to find out who in the city approved improper payments to Genesis board members and their families.

        Conflicting accounts from OMI staffers on the question of who's in charge of the inquiry — and whether City Manager John Shirey interfered in the investigation — led council to vote 5-4 Wednesday to put the matter back into the hands of the original investigators.

        Those investigators, Kimberlee Gray and Frank Sefton, told City Council this month that their boss, Glenda Smith-Johnston, lied when she said she never removed Ms. Gray from the case.

        But that was almost beside the point Wednesday night. Instead, council members took turns ranting:

        Minette Cooper: “I'm just amazed that we have politicians making decisions on the investigation.”

        Phil Heimlich: “A lot of us are questioning the integrity of OMI. If the person charged with investigating misconduct herself engages in misconduct, that's a serious situation.”

        Alicia Reece: “I want to get to the bottom of it. I just don't want to hear about it again until we get a final report. I'm just tired of it.”

        Pat DeWine: “I don't understand why members of this council don't want to get answers. What I do understand is a lot of taxpayer money is missing.”

        Chris Monzel: “It's our job as council to make sure the administration is acting ethically and with integrity.”

        Mayor Charlie Luken: “Bluntly, Mr. Heimlich, it's old. It's tired.”

        Finally, John Cranley: “I've only been on City Council nine months, and this is ugly. This is Exhibit A in why people don't like City Council.”

        Afterward, the city manager said any accusation that he has obstructed the investigation is a “phony, trumped-up charge.”

Two interviews, two versions examined in court
Attack notebook
Banned-songs flap downplayed
Embroidery company sending patriot shirts
Forum at Xavier reveals truths, myths about Islam
Guard ready to rumble
Ohioans help, and hope
Prayers rise as students, residents flock to 'Flagpole'
Task forces to fight threat of terrorism
Area health leader decries low payments
Council debate on Genesis money scandal gets ugly
County debates security proposal
Herwegh Society marks 125 years
Matlock created magazine on radio
Museum hires Smithsonian director
PULFER: Jerry Schmitz
Racial issues examined
Schools measured on closing gap
Traffic jams likely as UC begins classes
Tristate A.M. Report
CROWLEY: Kentucky Politics
Bears lose their stuffing; bust uncovers Viagra scheme
Mason teachers ask to resume contract sessions
Error voids election
Payments to inmates approved in '93 prison riot
Bellevue hopes to replace trophies
Electric utilities guarded on plans
Kentucky News Briefs
Monmouth businesses get break
1,033 pounds of marijuana seized from rig, police say
Reproductions of history
Virus suspected in birds' deaths