Noe driven to be national GOP power player

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http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/113049247853500.xml&coll=2

Friday, October 28, 2005
John Caniglia
Plain Dealer Reporter
Toledo -

Tom Noe bankrolled his obsession to become a major donor to President Bush by using his longtime friends, authorities say.

Noe recruited allies who wanted to be part of a major fund-raiser for the president, paying them to contribute to Bush, according to interviews and an federal indictment filed Thursday.

"This is an embarrassment to the city of Toledo and the state of Ohio," said State Rep. Peter Ujvagi, a Toledo Democrat. "This shows the arrogance of power."

The indictment and interviews with lawyers familiar with the case show the scheme unfolded like this:...


Bush contributors testify before federal grand jury
http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/113049194253500.xml&coll=2

Friday, October 28, 2005

Federal prosecutors say coin dealer Tom Noe reimbursed 24 friends and associates for contributions to President Bush's campaign in an illegal scheme to avoid the $2,000 donation limit and disguise $45,400 in contributions. In many cases, the friends were paid up front to donate to an Oct. 30, 2003, fund-raiser in Columbus.

Those who contributed to the campaign and testified before the federal grand jury include:

H. Douglas Talbott: The former top aide to two Ohio governors gave $2,000. Talbott, granted immunity to testify before the grand jury, helped spell out the scheme. The Ohio inspector general's office also is investigating a $39,000 interest-free loan Talbott got from Noe in 2002.

Joseph Kidd: The former director of the Lucas County Board of Elections was the first to answer questions on the fund-raiser in 2004 when an investigator for the county prosecutor's office met with him. Kidd gave $2,000....

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