The Ohio Democratic Party today attacked Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters as corrupt and criticized John McCain's decision to name him southwest Ohio chair, as PolitickerOH.com reported last week.

The party said Deters "resigned as Ohio Treasurer in 2005 under a thick cloud of ethical issues including pay-to-play politics and his relationship with Frank Gruttadauria, the Cleveland investment broker who defrauded his clients out of nearly $300 million" and was convicted of bribery charges.

Party chair Chris Redfern criticized McCain directly.

"I hear John McCain is in the market for a new economic advisor.  Perhaps Joe Deters' pal Frank Gruttadauria will be tapped to dispense his sage economic advice," he said.

Ohio Republican Party communications director John McClelland shot back at Redfern.

"Joe Deters is an honorable public servant who is loved and supported overwhelmingly by his constituents. It’s too bad Chris Redfern can’t say the same for his former attorney general, the leader of his Senate Democrats, the former state representative from Lorain County and the secretary of his own party’s executive committee. Perhaps Chairman Redfern should spend a little more time raising the standard in his own party before pointing hypocritical fingers at everyone else," McClelland said.

McClelland sent a parding shot Gov. Ted Strickland's way as well.

"If the Democrats spent this much time working on a plan to improve Ohio’s economy and create jobs, maybe Ted Strickland would be able to turn around Ohio," McClelland said.