Ohio: Ohio Elections Commission

COLUMBUS -- Former Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann is ready to respond to allegations
that he misused campaign contributions for trips, family gifts, and everyday expenses such as
coffee, meals and newspapers.

The Ohio Elections Commission has scheduled a hearing today on two sets of accusations.

An investigation by Inspector General Tom Charles concluded that Dann filed inaccurate and false
information about his expenditures.

In a separate complaint, State Jennifer Brunner accuses Dann of misspending about $45,000
in campaign funds on security improvements at his home and for cell phone bills.

Dann, who plans to attend the hearing, has denied the allegations in a 40-page motion to dismiss
the case.

The Democrat resigned last May over a sexual harassment scandal involving a top aide.

Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner's office is still looking for an explanation for reimbursement checks written to Miller from his campaign and for a series of rent payments that his campaign made to help cover the costs of his private office across from the Statehouse.

The letter that Brunner's office sent to Miller on Friday is the latest in a multiyear effort by the office to piece together what the Columbus Democrat has been spending his money on, and whether there was illegal conversion of campaign money for personal use.

The Ohio Elections Commission fined Miller $1,500 a year ago, after the veteran legislator failed to submit six years' worth of campaign-finance reports.

Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner's office yesterday filed a complaint with the Ohio Elections Commission accusing Miller of violating three campaign-finance laws: failing to file a true statement, failing to keep an accurate account, and failing to correct inaccurate reports.

And Miller's problems aren't expected to end here; additional complaints are expected.

"This is not it," said Kevin Kidder, spokesman for Brunner. "I was told this is definitely not the end."

The Elections Commission is expected to take up the matter in mid- to late April.

"The most important thing for me is to have this whole matter concluded," Miller said yesterday.

The secretary of state's office and the Elections Commission have spent years trying to get Miller to file complete campaign-finance reports as required by law.

State Sen. Ray Miller is facing more legal trouble surrounding for failing to accurately keep an accounting of his campaign fund and properly verify his spending.

Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner's office today filed a complaint with the Ohio Elections Commission accusing the Columbus Democrat of violating three campaign finance laws: failing to file a full, true itemized statement; failing to keep a strict and accurate account; and failure to correct inaccurate reports.

The secretary of state's office and the Elections Commission have spent years trying to get Miller to file a complete report. The commission fined Miller $1,500 a year ago after the veteran senator failed to submit six years worth of campaign finance reports.