5 justices are urged to skip Taft records case

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http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050719/NEWS02/50719003

COLUMBUS — Ohio House Democrats are calling on the state’s Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer to bar himself and four other justices from deciding on a public-records lawsuit against Gov. Bob Taft, who has contributed about $27,000 to their campaigns since 2002.

Earlier this month, state Sen. Marc Dann, a Democrat from suburban Youngstown, sued the governor’s office for documents that could shed light on the investment scandal at the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. Mr. Taft refused to release some information, including weekly cabinet reports, citing “executive privilege.”

All seven members of the state’s highest court, through their spokesman, have maintained that they will not recuse themselves from hearing Mr. Dann’s case against the governor.

House Minority Leader Chris Redfern (D., Catawba Island) wrote in a letter yesterday to Chief Justice Moyer:
“It would seem that the public’s respect for the judicial system could be threatened if judges who received campaign contributions from Governor Taft play a role deciding court cases concerning him.”

Mr. Taft, his wife, and his gubernatorial campaign committee since 2002 have given $9,900 to Justice Evelyn Lundberg Stratton; $9,900 to Justice Maureen O’Connor; $2,500 to Chief Justice Moyer; $2,500 to Justice Judith Ann Lanzinger, and $2,500 to Justice Terrence O’Donnell, Ohio campaign finance records show.

[MeDeMax]

1. kick --- n/t

[LaurenG]

2. Another Kick Thanks nt

:kick:

[liberalnurse]

3. Ohio Democrats have their pulse on this one!

Chris Redfern is a pace setter for the Democrats!


House Minority Leader Chris Redfern (D., Catawba Island) wrote in a letter yesterday to Chief Justice Moyer:
“It would seem that the public’s respect for the judicial system could be threatened if judges who received campaign contributions from Governor Taft play a role deciding court cases concerning him.”




Minority Leader Chris Redfern is Ohio's Greatest Hope!

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4. Chris is good, but keep an eye on Marc Dann as well

Dann is the one who has been filing the law suits. We finally have dems sprouting up all around us.

[OzarkDem]

5. Dann deserves an award

as Ohio Dem of the year. I don't know a great deal about him, but he's doing a good job so far.

Redfern is pretty good, but he's a maverick, still a little wet behind the ears.