Loophole lets political parties protect donors April 22, 2000 BY JIM PROVANCE BLADE COLUMBUS BUREAU COLUMBUS - The Ohio Republican Party raised at least $2.4 million for its operating account in 1998 and 1999, money that would otherwise have gone unreported if it had not been transferred to the party's federal account. Unlike campaign contributions, Ohio law does not require public disclosure of the sources and amounts of funds raised and used for a party's operating account, including employee wages and office expenses. The Ohio Democratic Party, which hopes to score election points on this issue, yesterday released a report tracking transfers from the state GOP operating fund to its federal account. It was an attempt to put at least a partial dollar figure on the total amount raised. Recent revelations that several high-ranking GOP officials - including Governor Taft, Attorney General Betty Montgomery, Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell, and Treasurer Joe Deters - have helped to solicit donors for the fund through the party's Team Ohio effort has brought the campaign reporting loophole to the forefront of Ohio politics. Gary Abernathy, spokesman for the Ohio Republican Party, did not quibble with the numbers, but he stressed that the dollars were not all from Team Ohio. He noted Team Ohio had 15 members last year. At a minimum contribution of $25,000, that translates into at least $375,000 raised through the program last year. Smack in the middle of the ethical controversy is Mr. Taft because of the use of the Governor's Mansion and Mr. Taft's seats at Ohio State University football games as "exclusive" benefits for Team Ohio membership. Mr. Taft and the other officials have since said they will support closure of the loophole in the campaign reporting law, but State Republican Chairman Bob Bennett has said he will not disclose the names of donors until the law requires him to do so. "Republicans are speaking out of both sides of their mouth," said state Democratic Chairman David Leland. "They don't want to release the names because of the legal embarrassment it might cause them. They let Bennett take the hit while they act like they favor full disclosure." The party's Federal Election Commission filings for 1999 showed transfers totaling $895,600 to the party's federal account. In 1998 more than $1.5 million was transferred. The $2.4 million does not include funds raised this year. Mr. Leland reported that Democrats placed just under $20,000 in its operating fund to date since January 1998. "We raised a total of $13 million during that period," said Mr. Leland. "The difference between us and them is that we reported it, put it accounts where people could check to see who was making contributions." The Democrats' contributions were primarily from political candidates, office holders, and local party organizations. The largest contribution, $5,000, came from the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees union. "We appreciate all the time David Leland has spent on our fund-raising," Mr. Abernathy said. "The last time I checked he was chairman of the Democratic Party. The Democrats' senatorial caucus didn't even file a report. I think they'd appreciate it if he spent as much time on them." © 1999, 2000 The Blade, All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use and Privacy Statement