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Crites files complaint against Cordray
Republican Mike Crites filed a complaint with the Ohio Elections Commission on Friday, Oct. 10, that seeks to have his opponent in the race for attorney general, Democrat Richard Cordray, tossed off the ballot over an improper campaign contribution — a move that appears to be a long-shot.
“There is no relationship between contributions to my campaigns and actions of my office. None,” Cordray said. “And as such, we believe strongly and will show that this action has no merit.”
Crites argues in the 6-page complaint that Cordray, who is state treasurer, knew or should have known that a $10,000 contribution from Lindsey Kuty came from someone else. Kuty, who was 21-years-old when she donated the money, is the stepdaughter of Wachovia Securities broker Montford Will.
After the contribution, Wachovia’s bond trading business with the treasurer’s office jumped from about 1 percent during the previous six years to 37.5 percent under the Cordray administration.
Cordray has said he knew nothing about the Kuty contribution. He returned it soon after the Dayton Daily News told Cordray that Will said the $10,000 came from Kuty’s mother, not Kuty.
State elections law prohibits giving money in someone else’s name and knowingly accepting contributions given in someone else’s name. Anyone convicted of violating this section could be forced to forfeit his party’s nomination for elected office, according to Crites’ complaint. If this isn’t sorted out until after the election and Cordray wins, Crites wants the election nullified and the second highest voter getter to be declared the winner.
“The Ohio Elections Commission has never invoked any provision like that in its history,” said Phil Richter, commission director since 1996.
Richter said the commission will consider the complaint after the Nov. 4 election. “This is not a matter that requires an automatic expedited review,” he said.
He also noted that Crites would have to bring evidence that Cordray knew the contribution was in someone else’s name before the commission could make a finding against Cordray. And the commission can refer its findings to the county prosecutor, who can seek convictions in court.
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