Diebold Halts Top Execs' Political Gifts

[GreenPartyVoter]

"NORTH CANTON, Ohio (AP) - Diebold Inc. (DBD), criticized last year for selling electronic voting machines while its chairman raised money for Republican political candidates, has banned its senior executives from making such donations.

The company's board of directors last week passed an amendment to its business ethics policy, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. It states that top Diebold officials "may not make contributions to, directly or indirectly, any political candidate, party, election issue or cause, or participate in any political activities, except for voting."

Walden W. O'Dell, Diebold's chairman and chief executive officer, was criticized in August 2003 for having a $1,000-a-plate Republican fund-raiser at his suburban Columbus home. In a letter inviting people to attend, O'Dell said he was "committed to helping Ohio deliver its electoral votes to the president next year."

He has since said he feels badly about the letter and has sworn off politics."

http://apnews1.iwon.com/article/20040607/D831SV100.html