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Former GOP chairman Jacobson denies soliciting contributions to pay his salary
Thursday, June 28, 2007
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> Former GOP chairman denies soliciting contributions
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The Montgomery County Republican Party had a problem in 2001: a lingering debt to its chairman, Jeff Jacobson.
The solution came from the same guy who'd helped out in a big way just a year before: businessman Clayton L. Mathile, a big donor to the party and Republican candidates generally.
Extras
On Oct. 19, 2001, Mathile donated $60,000 to the county party's secret operating fund. The same day, the party cut 15 separate $3,000 checks to Jacobson — a $45,000 payout for the day, according to party documents obtained by the Dayton Daily News.
In December 2003, another issue loomed. Jacobson was stepping down and was owed $39,681. Mathile, George Oberer Sr., Randall Gunlock and Hyden Investments together contributed $160,000.
Soon after, Jacobson received his paycheck.
Despite the proximity of several donations to the dates of his paychecks, Jacobson denies soliciting money just to pay himself. Jacobson said big donors wanted to help with the cost of party operations, including staff costs. And they wanted to do it secretly.
"People have different reasons for not wanting the full extent of their giving to be public," Jacobson said.
He said the party had great success electing candidates and raising money during his tenure.
"Given the accomplishments while I was there, I could say I probably merited a higher salary," he said.
Oberer and Gunlock, the only donors who could be reached for comment, said they had no idea their money would help pay Jacobson's salary, and most certainly not a five-figure payout.
"That's a lot of money," Oberer said.
Both men said they were solicited by State Rep. John J. White, R-Kettering, Jacobson's hand-picked successor as chairman.
"John White claimed they were broke," said Oberer. "At no time did he ever represent that there's any money going to Jeff."
Jacobson claimed no knowledge of White's fundraising methods and White could not be reached for comment.
Jacobson was party chairman from 1991 to December 2003. His contract with the party paid him a salary and fundraising bonuses, including a percentage of the money he raised for the secret fund that was used to pay him.
Over nearly 13 years he was paid $448,196, including interest on back pay. The money came from the county party operating fund, which parties could legally shield from disclosure under state law, including 1995 campaign finance rules Jacobson helped write.
In 2004, the payments to Jacobson became public after newspaper reports revealed that he had used the secret operating fund to pay political consultants, including one who assisted him with his bid for the Senate presidency. Jacobson withdrew from the running and an investigation by then-Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell concluded that the money had not been improperly spent.
"Given their extensive investigation of ghosts and red herrings maliciously put forward by those with an ax to grind, I am confident that, had there been even a dollar that they would say has been improperly paid, it would've come out at the time," Jacobson said.
At the same time, he said he regrets how he handled the secret fund.
"Hindsight is 20-20," he said. "I am not without flaws."
County Democrats question the thoroughness of Blackwell's review, particularly since it came just as he was gearing up to run for governor.
"It's not just a question of did you follow the letter of the law, it's a question of did you follow the spirit," said Dennis Lieberman, former chairman of the Montgomery County Democratic Party. "The spirit of the law is we know who is contributing to who so we have an idea where the influence might be."
Greg Gantt, chairman of the county Republican Party, worries that the secrecy of the fund and the big payouts to Jacobson may have created a credibility problem. He is in the midst of a rebuilding effort — the party having ended the pre-primary reporting season with just $941.69.
He's making transparency a key element of his tenure, will form an audit committee to look at past spending and is planning reforms to give party officials more say in how the chairman spends money.
"I would hope that donors knew what they were contributing to," Gantt said. "And that's to preserve their future support."
Gunlock said he's most concerned the public wasn't aware Jacobson was receiving large payments from party donations.
"I think it should all be out in the open," he said.
Comments
By Steve
June 30, 2007 9:50 AM | Link to this
I guess DDN cannot find enough to write about other than a party leader getting paid $45000 per year. Perhaps thier math is weak. $400,000 is a lot of money but over 13 years it is a low average payment. I guarantee you that the $350,000 Bill Clinton gets for each public speaking event he is hired for is funnelled too him by many of his party cronies. I did not get the DDN the day this story broke because I wanted as small of a subscription as I could get to get the funnies on Sunday. I Know why
By mkat
June 29, 2007 12:07 AM | Link to this
The Dayton Daily News is beating a dead horse. Wasn’t this story reported years ago after the Blackwell investigation? Maybe trash like this and the obvious bias of this newspaper is why subscriptions are down. Just an idea? Maybe the DDN needs to smarten up. You’ve lost the attention of a good deal of the Dayton community as a result. Who cares what you think because NOBODY is paying attention.
By Jacobsonwatcher
June 28, 2007 3:43 PM | Link to this
Why would anyone be a bit surprised? It is NOT the amount of money over a five year period…I would tend to agree with Jacobson that he wasn’t overpaid. It’s the means by which the money was acquired. Jeff Jacobson is just another political hack clown that will line his pockets by treading the tenuous line between corruption and legitimacy, dipping his toes on either side as he finds convenient. You keep voting for him…you get what you deserve.
By joe
June 28, 2007 3:21 PM | Link to this
This really is horrible reporting. very misleading. Even for the Dayton Daily Worker.
By mike
June 28, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this
Crooked like other Republicans. No wonder I left the party. At least he’s a local guy. Oops, he lives in Columbus.
By GivemeaBreak!
June 28, 2007 1:43 PM | Link to this
Hiding the payment of $450,000 to the party chairman is no big deal huh? I must have found the only handful of people that can possibly think that! By the way “Danny”, most county party chairman do the job for free. I’ve never heard of any county chairman ANYWHERE making even close to $450,000 over ANY amount of time. Dennis Lieberman (former Dem chair) was a more successful chair than crook Jacobsen could ever dream of being, and he was never paid a dime.
By JIM
June 28, 2007 1:41 PM | Link to this
WHAT ELSE WOULD EXPECT FROM A REPUBLICANS.
By Jennifer
June 28, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this
Over 13 years, he made less than $35,000/year. What’s the big deal?!? If anyone should be questioned, it should be Mr. White.
By Jennifer
June 28, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this
Over 13 years, he made less than $35,000/year. What’s the big deal?!? If anyone should be questioned, it should be Mr. White.
By John
June 28, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this
Republicans give prostitutes a bad name.
By John
June 28, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this
Republicans give prostitutes a bad name.
By Cathy
June 28, 2007 12:14 PM | Link to this
It’s not a question of the money. The issue is why they felt a need to keep this a secret.
By Chad
June 28, 2007 11:49 AM | Link to this
I first read this story and couldn’t believe how much money he was paid, it actually made me mad, but then saw that is was what he made for 5 years.
What a p**s poor way to report a story. Totally deceptive and misleading. This is simply journalism trash. Lynn Hulsey should go back to the frier at McDonalds.
By Danny
June 28, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this
A little over $63K a year. That’s about the normal salary for someone to run an outfit like that. No big deal in my opinion.