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Friday, May 14, 2010
Subpoenas issued in Governor’s mansion investigation
By Laura A. Bischoff Columbus Bureau
COLUMBUS — Gov. Ted Strickland on Friday, May 14 is calling tactics used by state Sen. Tim Grendell “disturbing,” “un-American” and “bullying” after the GOP-controlled Senate issued subpoenas and asked two top administration officials to waive their constitutional rights.
Grendell, R-Chesterland, plans to hold hearings on Wednesday and Thursday next week over when and why Public Safety Director Cathy Collins Taylor killed a planned sting operation at the Governor’s Residence in January.
Letters from Grendell to Collins Taylor and Ohio Highway Patrol Superintendent David Dicken said they would be administered an oath “and asked to waive, in writing, any immunity that might accrue from testifying before the Committee.”
Letters to other subpoenaed witnesses did not ask them to waive their rights. Grendell could not be reached for comment.
“This is, I believe, a McCarthy Era tactic. I think it’s reprehensible,” Strickland said.
The showdown between Grendell and the Strickland administration stems from the decision to cancel a sting operation at the Governor’s Residence while the Stricklands hosted John and Annie Glenn at a dinner party.
Prison officials told the patrol of plans by an inmate working at the residence to have drugs or tobacco dropped there so he could smuggle them into the prison. Collins Taylor, who oversees the patrol, called off the planned sting. The question is whether it was done over concerns for safety or political embarrassment for Strickland.
State Inspector General Tom Charles issued a report last month that criticized supervision of the inmate work program at the Residence and said Collins Taylor lied to investigators. Collins Taylor’s job hangs in the balance since the Strickland administration inadvertently never submitted her name to the Ohio Senate for confirmation.
Collins Taylor’s attorney Rocky Saxbe said his client plans to be at the hearings and tell the truth. As far as waiving of rights, Saxbe said, “we have got to have clarification on why this is being done and why it is being done selectively.”
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TweetPresident Obama to visit Youngstown
President Barack Obama will visit V & M Star, a steel manufacturing company in Youngstown, on Tuesday, May 18, the White House said on Friday, May 14.
Obama will speak on jobs and the economy to workers, the White House said. Federal stimulus investments helped “propel” an expansion that Valllourec, parent company of V & M, was considering, the White House said.
The new plant is expected to double the size of V & M’s Youngstown workforce when complete, the White House added.
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