Friday, August 05, 2005
Taft reveals some of his golf pals
We knew there was something coming down today, but we had thought it was going to be bigger.
Bob Taft today release documents that provided some details about 27 golf "outings" which is apparently only a part of the 60+ "events" that he failed to report to the Ethics Commission.
After this information was release this morning, Bill Meeks, Taft's criminal defense attorney, cryptically said that today's documents
Robinson is not just an attorney. Robinson represented the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation on investment matters. He was also retained Tom Noe after the Toledo Blade's stories about Coingate started. Robinson's dual role was clearly a conflict of interest. In addition, Robinson works for Schottenstein, Zox & Dunn, a politically-connected law firm whose employees have been heavy donors to GOP candidates and causes.
The firm was paid nearly $370,000 to evaluate private investment managers and the $215 million in losses incurred by the infamous MDL fund. Robinson was in charge of this work.
Robinson parted ways with BWC in June after it was revealed that he failed to inform BWC commissioners in 2004 of the MDL losses.
Tom Noe paid at least $12,000 to law firms during 2004 and 2005 including a $10,000 retainer to Robinson.
Robinson is somewhat a divisive character in Republican circles. Ran for a state representative seat in the Columbus area against Jim Hughes, a moderate Republican. Hughes was the endorsed candidate, but Robinson still sought the backing of GOP bigwigs like former House Speaker JoAnn Davidson, Bill Harris and Larry Householder.
So, one question is whether it is likely - depending on the timing - that when Taft and Robinson are on the links together, the subject of MDL's losses never comes up. And, as one of SZD's ace lobbyists, what else did Robison and Taft discuss?
Bob Taft today release documents that provided some details about 27 golf "outings" which is apparently only a part of the 60+ "events" that he failed to report to the Ethics Commission.
After this information was release this morning, Bill Meeks, Taft's criminal defense attorney, cryptically said that today's documents
"represent only a portion of the information I am discussing with the Ohio Ethics Commission. Non-public records, such as the governor's personal schedule and financial documents, which have been provided to the commission, have a bearing on the interpretation of the records released today."The big news in this seems to be his golfing partners. From the Dispatch's website:
A partial list of Taft's golfing partners included Tony Alexander, president of First Energy; Tony Gorant of Akron General Medical Center; David Robinson, a Columbus attorney; and John Snow, now U.S. Treasury Secretary and former chairman of CSX.All these people Taft was golfing with are intriguing, but what caught our eyes and what Meeks may be referring to is an interesting person on the list: David Robinson.
One golfing partner, Dr. E. Christopher Ellison, chairman of the Department of Surgery at Ohio State University, wrote Taft later, "I would like to be available to assist you in any way dealing with medical issues, particularly in the area of surgery, around the state."
Taft played with [Tom] Noe, who is at the center of a scandal involving a $13 million shortfall from a coin investment at the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation, on May 13, 2001. The outing was at the Inverness Golf Club in Toledo.
Noe's attorney has confirmed that Noe golfed with Taft a couple of times but has declined to say who paid.
The list also included golf outings sponsored by Longaberger Co.
The Newark basketmaker filed an amended report July 20 with the Joint Legislative Ethics Committee showing it paid $125 for Taft's "golf fees" on Sept. 12, 2003.
According to a letter Taft released today, the outing included Longaberger lobbyist Mike Bennett; Bob Beam, the company's general counsel; and Nick Lashutka, a lobbyist and son of former Columbus Mayor Greg Lashutka.
That outing also included a lunch at the home of Longaberger Chief Executive Tami Longaberger and her husband, Todd Friz, the letter shows.
Robinson is not just an attorney. Robinson represented the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation on investment matters. He was also retained Tom Noe after the Toledo Blade's stories about Coingate started. Robinson's dual role was clearly a conflict of interest. In addition, Robinson works for Schottenstein, Zox & Dunn, a politically-connected law firm whose employees have been heavy donors to GOP candidates and causes.
The firm was paid nearly $370,000 to evaluate private investment managers and the $215 million in losses incurred by the infamous MDL fund. Robinson was in charge of this work.
Robinson parted ways with BWC in June after it was revealed that he failed to inform BWC commissioners in 2004 of the MDL losses.
Tom Noe paid at least $12,000 to law firms during 2004 and 2005 including a $10,000 retainer to Robinson.
Robinson is somewhat a divisive character in Republican circles. Ran for a state representative seat in the Columbus area against Jim Hughes, a moderate Republican. Hughes was the endorsed candidate, but Robinson still sought the backing of GOP bigwigs like former House Speaker JoAnn Davidson, Bill Harris and Larry Householder.
So, one question is whether it is likely - depending on the timing - that when Taft and Robinson are on the links together, the subject of MDL's losses never comes up. And, as one of SZD's ace lobbyists, what else did Robison and Taft discuss?
