Jury set for coin dealer trial

[Algorem]

http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/15750514.htm

TOLEDO, Ohio - Jurors will begin hearing opening statements and testimony Monday in the trial of a coin dealer charged with stealing from the state's investment in rare coins...

Tom Noe, 52, is accused of stealing at least $2 million from a $50 million rare coin investment he managed for the state. He has pleaded not guilty to theft, money laundering, forgery and a corrupt activity charge...

Democrats hope the scandal will help them in the statewide elections this fall.

In an unrelated case, Noe pleaded guilty earlier this year to funneling $45,000 to President Bush's re-election campaign and was sentenced last month to two years and three months in federal prison. He won't begin that sentence until after the state charges are resolved.