http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1123925752284590.xml&coll=2 Saturday, August 13, 2005
Columbus- U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland, who wants to be the Democratic nominee for governor, launched an Internet petition drive Friday to try to force creation of a committee to investigate the burgeoning scandals in Columbus...
GOP leaders already plan to convene a committee, complete with subpoena power, but only after Ohio's Inspector General wraps up his own investigation.
Strickland noted that the legislative committee would be controlled by Republicans, who hold majorities in the House and Senate, but his panel would include an equal number of Democrats and Republicans...
He started the drive on his campaign Web site, www.tedstrickland.com. ...
Coleman proposes prosecutor for ethics lapses
http://www.cleveland.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news/1123752754290460.xml?nohio&coll=2 Thursday, August 11, 2005
Columbus - Saying Ohio is "ravaged by public corruption of historic proportions," Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Michael Coleman called Wednesday for an independent statewide prosecutor and tougher penalties for public officials who violate ethics laws.
The proposed prosecutor, based in a state Office of Public Integrity, would have the power to subpoena witnesses, impanel a grand jury and prosecute criminals, Coleman said. The prosecutor would be appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate.
The new agency would assume some of the duties now handled by existing agencies, including the Office of Inspector General and Ohio Ethics Commission.
"At the end of the day, when these investigations are over, not one of the state agencies can file the criminal changes," Coleman said. "There is a better way."...