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The Brown County Press - Sunday, August 2, 2020 - Page 7
Householder removed and indicted CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
ers could face 20 years in prison on the charges. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, “It is alleged that the enterprise conspired to violate the racketeering statute through honest services wire fraud, receipt of millions of dollars in bribes and money laundering,” said the press release. It continued, “According to court documents, from March 2017 to March 2020, the enterprise received millions of dollars in exchange for Householder’s and the enterprise’s help in passing House Bill 6, a billiondollar bailout that saved two failing, Ohio nuclear power plants from closing. The defendants then also allegedly worked to corruptly ensure that HB 6 went into effect by defeating a ballot initiative to overturn the legislation. The Enterprise received approximately $60 million into Generation Now from an energy company and its affiliates during the relevant period.” “Dark money is a breeding ground for corruption. This investigation continues,” U.S. Attorney David M. DeVillers said when the indictments were announced. Much of the information in the indictment and criminal complaint focuses on the 2018 election and the passage and protection of House Bill 6 from repeal. However, the time period listed on the indictment runs through the primary election in 2020, where hundreds of thousands of dollars were spent on the House District 65 and 66 races in Brown and Clermont counties among others. “I think that the Householder supported candidates got a lot of money
in March and April of 2020.” said District 66 candidate Nick Owens. Certainly that money had to come from somewhere.” The federal indictment confirms Owen’s assertion by stating “During the 2020 primary election, Householder’s enterprise wired over $1,000,000 from Generation Now...to pay for media buys...to help candidates supported by Householder.” Later in the indictment, it states that “The advertising purchased...benefited Householder’s enterprise and its candidates.” When asked if he felt that the candidacies of House District 65 representative elect Jean Schmidt and failed House District 66 candidate Allen Freeman’s 2020 campaigns were supported with illegal activity by Householder, Owens replied “Absolutely, yes.” Neither Schmidt nor Freeman responded to requests for comment by The Brown County Press. Owens revealed to The Brown County Press that he is “Individual 1” named in the federal complaint against Householder as providing relevant information to the investigation. Owens said that he called the FBI in March and expressed concern that campaign finance violations were being committed by him and his associates. Owens did not know at the time that the FBI investigation had already been underway for months. “It was obvious during the campaign for House District 66 that something improper was happening.” Owens said. “The arrests just confirm the suspicion that
something illegal was going on between the Larry Householder operation the candidacies of those he was supporting in the republican primary.” When asked how he felt about the arrests, Owens said, “Unfortunately for me as a candidate, hundreds of thousands of dollars were spent against me in the campaign and you can’t take that back, but I do find satisfaction in the fact that people where were clearly committing illegal acts hopefully will be held accountable in a court of law.” Owens said the interest level of the FBI rose when they heard that Householder had spoken on the record to The Brown County Press about his role in raising money for the Growth and Opportunity political action committee. “They were very interested in that statement and wanted to get an audio recording, but there was fear that if the FBI asked Wayne Gates for the recording, it would reveal to him that the investigation was underway before they were ready to make arrests,” Owens said. When asked how he thought the case would progress from this point, Owens said, “Using my experience as an assistant prosecutor, I think there are a lot of difficult conversations going on right now between individuals in the Columbus area and the FBI. I think that with the amount of money involved, to say that only five people will face repercussions is unrealistic.” Owens said that he hoped the arrests and attention will lead to reform in state election laws. “I’m hoping his arrest will have a chilling effect on similar actions by
elected officials in the future and hopefully we will have a better and more ethical government for all.” The legal exposure of Householder and others is not limited to federal charges. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose referred nineteen apparent or alleged violations of Ohio campaign finance laws to the Ohio Elections Commission following the release of the federal complaint against Householder and co-defendants Longstreth, Clark, Borges and Cespedes. “For those of us who answer the call to public service with a sincere desire to serve as good stewards of the public trust, today’s events are deeply disappointing," said LaRose. "Sadly, today’s Criminal Complaint is a reminder that some enter public life seeking to accumulate personal power and to enrich themselves. Those who do so are not fit to hold public office." Among the alleged and apparent violations of Ohio’s campaign finance laws are: • acceptance of direct corporate contributions • failure to file a complete and accurate campaign finance statement • converting campaign funds for personal benefit LaRose added, “These nineteen items likely do not represent a comprehensive list of violations of Ohio laws by the named defendants. Secretary LaRose, his elections law team, and his campaign finance division will continue to review the relevant campaign finance reports and make additional referrals as violations become known.” If you have information related to the public corruption alleged in this case, please contact the FBI at 614-849-1777.
Pain management program Wellness classes provided by the Area Agency on Aging District 7 (AAA7) have started back up after a time off due to the coronavirus pandemic. While physical distancing requirements remain in place, a creative solution to offer the programs has been developed. Beginning August 12, 2020 through September 16th, 2020, the AAA7 will be offering a Chronic Pain Self-Management Program through a telephone conference call. The format will allow the AAA7 to connect and support class participants while they learn valuable tools to deal with chronic pain. The telephone conference classes will be facilitated by AAA7 staff through a toll-free call-in number. Classes will be held weekly from 1:30 pm – 2:15 pm. Chronic pain is any pain that lasts for more than three months. Chronic pain can have a profound negative effect on a person’s well-being and quality of life leading to depression, exhaustion and isolation. More than 100 million people suffer with chronic pain in the United States. The class is not a substitute for medical treatment, but can give you tools and ideas to improve or complement treatments and other efforts to manage your pain. Participants will learn about treatment options and be better able to make informed decisions about the treatments that are right for them. Those who are interested must pre-register for the class. Once registered, participants will receive a free Chronic Pain Self-Management kit in the mail and the conference call information prior to the start of the class. Contents in the kit will be used for the weekly calls. Participation in the weekly telephone conference calls is required to receive the kit at no cost.
PUBLIC NOTICES Phone: (800) 404-3157 • Fax: (937) 444-2652 E-mail: legals@browncountypress.com LEGAL NOTICE The Village of Georgetown will receive sealed bids for the purchase of one new 2019 Kenworth T270 dump truck (or dump truck of similar or better quality) at the Village offices, 301 S. Main St, Georgetown, OH 45121 until 2:00 PM on August 7, 2020. Envelopes should be clearly marked “Dump Truck Bid.” Full desired specifications may be obtained by contacting Travis Bonar, Utilities Superintendent, at (937) 483-0032 or travis.bonar@georgetownohio.g ov. BCP 7-26-20, 8-2-20 ---------------------------------------LEGAL NOTICE Brown County Planning Commission The Brown County Commissioners with recommendation from the Brown County Planning Commission are seeking 2 members to serve on the Board of the Brown County Planning Commission for a 3-year term appointment. The member shall serve to provide the utmost efficiency in the transaction of its internal affairs and all other affairs which, by their nature or character, are related to the development, growth and welfare of Brown County. The member shall decide and act upon matters to give primary consideration, in all deliberations, to the public welfare; to avoid bad planning decision, no matter what the political pressure may be; to refuse to act for personal gain; to show leadership in enlightening both the public and the political administration in the ways of planning; to recognize the role of compromise in public affairs, but never to compromise the principles of honesty and integrity. The Board of the Brown County Planning Commission meets monthly and serves without pay. All interested parties shall submit to the Brown County Planning Commission a resume or professional biography, and a brief statement of intention to serve Brown County at the address below by August 28th, 2020. For questions regarding this posting call 937-378-4716. Brown County Planning Commission 325 W. State Street, Building B Georgetown, OH 45121 BCP 8-2-20 ---------------------------------------Election Notice The Ohio Soil and Water Conservation Commission will cause an election of Supervisors of the Brown Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) to be held in accordance with Chapter 940 of the Ohio Revised Code. Individuals who own or occupy land within the Brown Soil and Water Conservation District and are 18 years of age or older may vote for Supervisor. There are 2 ways an eligible voter can cast a ballot: 1.) At the SWCD office from 8:00 a.m. August 18, 2020 until 2:30 p.m. on August 31, 2020 during normal business hours; or 4.) Voting absentee from July 19, 2020 until August 31, 2020, by requesting the ballot application and election ballot from the SWCD office at the following address 706 South Main Street, Georgetown, OH 45121, by calling 937 378 4424, or email BrownSWCD44@gmail.com. Absentee ballots must be received by the SWCD office by 2:30 p.m. on Aug. 31, 2020. One Supervisors will be elected to a three year term commencing January 1, 2021 and ending December 31, 2023. Nominees are: 1. Aubrey Bolender 2. Ron Bulow BCP 8-2-20 ----------------------------------------
The following matters are the subject of this public notice by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. The complete public notice, including any additional instructions for submitting comments, requesting information, a public hearing, or filing an appeal may be obtained at: http://www.epa.ohio.gov/actions.aspx or Hearing Clerk, Ohio EPA, 50 W. Town St. P.O. Box 1049, Columbus, Ohio 43216. Ph: 614-644-3037 email: HClerk@epa.ohio.gov Draft NPDES Permit Renewal - Subject to Revision Sardinia WWTP 141 S Main St, Sardinia, OH Facility Description: Wastewater-Municipality Receiving Water: Slabcamp Run ID #: 1PB00108*JD Date of Action: 07/24/2020 BCP 8-2-20 ---------------------------------------NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed bids will be received by the Pleasant Township Trustees, at the Office of the Clerk, 4090 Drake Marshall Road, Georgetown, Ohio 45121, until 6:30. on August 18, 2020, for: 2020 Pleasant Township Paving Bidding forms may be obtained by calling (937-213-0036) or emailing (lapdth98@gmail.com) the Pleasant Township Clerk, Lori Drake. Bidders must use the printed forms provided therefore as none others will be accepted. Bidding documents shall be fully executed and must contain the full name of each person or company submitting the bid. Please include two copies of bid documents. The work shall meet the State of Ohio Department of Transportation Construction and Material Specifications, including appropriate changes and Supplemental Specifications in effect as of the contract date. Bidding procedures, time of completion, and bonding requirements shall be as detailed in the information for Bidders. The right is reserved to reject any and all Bids. The Contract will be awarded to the lowest and best bidder. Bids will be opened and read at 6:30 pm, on August 18, 2020. By order of the Pleasant Township Trustees, Georgetown, Ohio. DATED: July 21, 2020 ATTEST: Lon E. Drake Township Fiscal Officer Austin Carrington Dennis Daulton Frank Helbling Pleasant Township Trustees BCP 8-2-20, 8-9-20 ----------------------------------------
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