Golf gave partners access to governor;State contractors, donors took part [View All]

[Algorem]

http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050822/NEWS24/508220343

By JAMES DREW
and STEVE EDER
BLADE STAFF WRITERS


COLUMBUS - Gov. Bob Taft said he innocently failed to disclose a number of golf outings with old friends, but critics charge that he is guilty of allowing the lobbyists and businessmen who hosted him at Ohio's most exclusive courses to bend his ear and influence his decisions.


The list of Mr. Taft's undisclosed golfing partners included dozens of businessmen who had lucrative state contracts or faced state regulation as well as campaign contributors, who, along with members of their companies, gave more than $230,000 to the governor's campaigns, a Blade investigation showed.

The governor's golfing partners also included lobbyists who have represented dozens of companies seeking state money, deregulation, or policy change.

Last week, Mr. Taft pleaded no contest to four first-degree misdemeanor ethics violations for failing to disclose dozens of gifts on his state-mandated financial disclosure forms. A judge ordered him to pay a $4,000 fine and issue a written apology to all Ohioans...