Saturday, November 06, 1999
'2% Club' warrants more study, auditors say
Butler County's Holcomb waves off criticism
BY JANICE MORSE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
John Holcomb
|
HAMILTON — Both Ohio and Butler County auditors say recent Cincinnati Enquirer articles about employees of Prosecutor John Holcomb contributing two percent of their pay to his campaign fund raised concerns that warrant further investigation.
“(The articles) raise enough factual issues that would suggest perhaps a special prosecutor is in order,” State Auditor Jim Petro said this week. “I don't know if, factually, solicitation occurred ... but if there is solicitation going on by the prosecutor or by his employees in management positions, that's an illegal act. The way to get to that issue is to ask the judges to appoint a special prosecutor.”
Enquirer articles beginning on Oct. 24 revealed that about 80% of Mr. Holcomb's employees had contributed 2 percent of their salaries to his campaign through bank-account debits or personal checks. None of the former employees who spoke to The Enquirer said Mr. Holcomb ever personally approached them for contributions.
While such contributions are legal at the county level as long as they are voluntary and unsolicited, several ex-employees allege they felt pressured to give. Some current employees said they gave willingly.
Upon her return this week from a vacation, County Auditor Kay Rogers said she learned that her office had fielded about 100 telephone calls from citizens troubled by the findings in the Enquirer articles about the so-called “2 Percent Club.”
“People are demanding that his office be looked at with a fine-toothed comb,” Ms. Rogers said. “They figure that, if he can do this to his own employees, who are supposed to be closest to him, what else is he doing that isn't so obvious?”
Mr. Holcomb responded Friday: “I think people ought to look at things in her office.” He wouldn't elaborate.
In response to Mr. Petro's suggestion of a special prosecutor, Mr. Holcomb retorted: “You ought to have the special prosecutor look at the whole damn county.”
Mr. Holcomb alleged that all county officeholders take contributions from their employees — an assertion unsupported by other officeholders' most recent campaign-finance reports. He alleged the contributions were hidden, but wouldn't say how.
Neither Ms. Rogers nor Mr. Petro, by law, has the authority to seek a special prosecutor, and neither office has jurisdiction over election-related matters.
Ohio law says the court of common pleas may authorize the board of county commissioners to appoint a special prosecutor “upon the application of the prosecuting attorney and the board of county commissioners.” A 1981 court case says this rule applies “except where the prosecuting attorney has a conflict of interest and refuses to make application.”
Courtney Combs, county commission president, aid he has no problems with Mr. Holcomb, and said that, as of Friday, no citizens had complained to him about Mr. Holcomb's practices.
Even if someone did complain, Mr. Combs said he doubts his board has the legal authority to respond.
PREVIOUS REPORTS
Voluntary donations questioned Oct. 24, 1999
About the 2 Percent Club Oct. 24, 1999
Prosecutor defends employees' donations Oct. 26, 1999
Legislator seeks to end '2 Percent Club' Oct. 27, 1999
Prosecutor's '2 Percent Club' splits parties Oct. 28, 1999
Lawmakers slam 2% Club Oct. 30, 1999
A stink in Butler Co. Oct. 31, 1999
'2% Club' warrants more study, auditors say
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