Crites unhappy with proposed fine for Will

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By Laura A. Bischoff, Staff Writer 1:23 AM Thursday, May 28, 2009

COLUMBUS — Republican Mike Crites isn’t too happy with a deal struck to allow a bond trader to pay a record fine for funneling campaign contributions through his relatives.

Crites, who ran for attorney general in 2008, points out that Tom Noe served 27 months in federal prison for illegally funneling $45,000 in campaign contributions through other people, but bond trader Montford Will is unlikely to face criminal charges for the same conduct.

“If the Ohio Elections Commission accepts this deal, Montford Will will have funneled almost three times as much as Mr. Noe and gotten off by simply writing another check,” Crites’ attorney wrote in a filing with the commission on Wednesday, May 27. “Ohioans deserve better.”

Crites filed a complaint against Democrat Richard Cordray last fall after the Dayton Daily News reported that Will contributed $10,000 to Cordray’s campaign through Will’s stepdaughter.

Will’s employer, Wachovia Securities, saw its share of state bond trading business climb to about 37 percent under then-treasurer Cordray.

Cordray returned the money after the Dayton Daily News questioned the contribution.

The Dayton Daily News report also triggered an investigation by Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien.

On May 22, O’Brien filed a 19-count complaint with the Elections Commission detailing how Will funneled $121,000 in campaign contributions through his relatives.

The Elections Commission is scheduled today to consider O’Brien’s complaint and recommendation that Will be fined $47,500.

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