By Dan Horn
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Cincinnati's former health commissioner said Friday he wants to erase his criminal record so he can rebuild his life, which was shattered 10 years ago when he was sent to prison on drug charges.

Stanley Broadnax filed court papers last month seeking to expunge, or wipe out, convictions on six charges related to drug abuse and trafficking.

He spoke publicly about his request on a radio show and in interviews Friday, a day after Hamilton County Prosecutor Mike Allen criticized Broadnax and vowed to fight his request for an expungement.

"This issue is bigger than me," Broadnax said. "It's about thousands of ex-offenders in Hamilton County who have tried to turn themselves around and have been prevented from doing so by the system."

He said he wants to clear his record because his felony conviction has prevented him from getting jobs, made it impossible to get homeowners' insurance and caused problems every time he passes through a security checkpoint while traveling.

Broadnax now works as a case manager for a program that helps felons get job training and other services. He said many of the people he works with would benefit from the second chance that an expungement would offer.

But he said Allen's opposition to his effort suggests few will get that chance.

"I've got three college degrees," Broadnax said. "If I can't get an expungement, what chance does anybody else have?"

Allen said Broadnax violated his oath as a doctor and a public servant. "For him to think everything is just hunky dory now is just not right," Allen said.

He also said Broadnax's six convictions disqualify him because expungements are for first -time offenders who committed only one crime. Broadnax said his convictions all stem from the same offense and occurred the same time.