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Governor Taft Pleads ''No Contest'' to misdemeanors PDF Print E-mail
Written by Jeff Garvas   
Thursday, 18 August 2005

Governor Bob Taft entered a plea of no contest today in Franklin County courts. A no-contest plea means the defendant is not admitting guilt, but is not denying the charges against them are factually correct.

In Taft's case, this means he was both not admitting to the charges that he failed to report certain events, while simultaneously saying its correct that the events in question were not properly reported. It's the best of both worlds for Governor Taft and no surprise he chose to plead that way.

Bob Taft was charged with four misdemeanors for failing to report golf outings and other contributions from various people, including Tom Noe, a Republican fundraiser who is in deep water with the rare coin investment scandle plaguing the Ohio Republican Party.

Bob Taft was sentenced to pay $4000 in fines and produce sincere apology to the people of Ohio. From Cleveland.com and the AP:
    "You have a duty to set an example for all citizens," Franklin County Municipal Judge Mark Froehlich told Taft. "I am also ordering you to send an appropriate apology to the citizens of Ohio by e-mail to news media throughout the state." "From the shores of Lake Erie to the banks of the Ohio River, I want them to know that you are sorry for what you have done."


From Newsnet5's Website:
    "I have failed to live up to those high expectation and the expectations of the public. I am very disappointed in myself," Taft said.

    "There are no word to express the deep remorse that I feel over the embarassment. I offer my sincere and heartfelt apology. I hope the people will understand that these mistake were done unintentionally," he said. "I accept full responsibility for this mistake, and I'm sorry."
Will these insignificant charges be the end of Republican Governor Bob Taft's career? While many of us might look forward to that outcome, the real question is what role this course of events will have on the makeup of the Ohio Legislature and statewide politics.

Taft Pleads No Contest, Issues Apology (Newsnet 5)

Ohio governor pleads no contest to ethics charges; fined (Cleveland.com/AP)