Multi-agency commission would authorize investigations, prosecutions
CLEVELAND - Under a new proposal announced by Republican candidate for Ohio Attorney General Mike Crites, a statewide commission made up of county prosecutors and representatives from Ohio's two U.S. Attorney offices would have the authority to investigate and prosecute allegations of public corruption in all 88 Ohio counties when asked for assistance by local or state-level authorities.
"Despite specific and credible allegations of corruption against disgraced former Attorney General Marc Dann raised in the press, Ohio law limited the number of investigatory paths what would allow his misdeeds to be fully brought to light," Crites said. "Unfortunately, northeast Ohioans know that credible allegations of corruption aren't limited to state government," Crites said, referring to Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora and County Auditor Frank Russo who are at the center of a massive federal investigation into allegations of public corruption.
Crites' proposal, which will require statutory changes, would create the Ohio Public Corruption Commission (OPCC), a body that will authorize investigations into alleged cases of felony-level public corruption at the request of local law enforcement or selected state officials. State Representative Carol-Ann Schindel (R - Leroy Township) has agreed to carry the bill and joined Crites today in Cleveland for the announcement.
"As a legislator who has made it a top priority to improve government accountability, I'm honored to sponsor this legislation," Schindel said. "Protecting the money and confidence of the taxpayers should be the top priority of any elected official. The Ohio Public Corruption Commission will accomplish both of these goals by rooting corruption out of government at every level."
The Commission will be made up of county prosecutors and representatives of the U. S. Attorneys' offices in Ohio. All Commission members will be subject to confirmation by the Ohio Senate. The Commission will oversee two assistant county prosecutors, called Public Integrity Counsels, both on one-year assignments from local prosecutor offices.
County prosecutors would retain all current jurisdiction over crimes committed in their respective counties. This proposal simply creates alternate jurisdiction for the OPCC.
Crites noted that his proposal in no way is intended to interfere with the ongoing federal investigation in Cuyahoga County.
"It's rare to see more than 200 federal agents acting together to uncover wrongdoing as they are in Cleveland," Crites said. "With more than 21 years of experience as a prosecutor at all levels of government, I know that law enforcement doesn't always have those kind of resources to take on cases of public corruption. The Ohio Public Corruption Commission, at the request of local or state-level authorities, will give local law enforcement another avenue to pursue important cases of public corruption while still focusing their precious resources on fighting violent criminals."
Crites was also joined today by Wayne County Prosecutor Martin Frantz. "This proposal means more than additional manpower for small counties - it means an unbiased assessment by an independent commission that will promote a prompt resolution to questions of illegal behavior in a just and timely manner," Frantz said.
The proposal is supported by other prominent Ohio prosecutors, including two who serve on the Executive Board of the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association: Dave Yost of Delaware County and Rachel Hutzel of Warren County.
Crites' proposal creates seven channels for complaints of public corruption. The U.S. Attorney's office, Ohio county prosecutors, Ohio sheriffs, the Ohio Attorney General, the Legislative Inspector General, the Ohio Inspector General, and the Ohio Ethics Commission may all refer alleged corruption to the OPCC.
The OPCC would consist of 10 members, each who serve two-year terms and would be appointed as follows:
- Four county prosecutors (two Democrat, two Republican) appointed by the Governor.
- Four county prosecutors (two Democrat, two Republican) appointed by the Attorney General.
- Two representatives from the office of the U.S. Attorney - one each from the Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio, appointed by each U.S. Attorney.
To further ensure political impartiality, the Commission's chairmanship would alternate each year between political parties. One Public Integrity Counsel will come from the office of a Democrat prosecutor, the other from the office of a Republican prosecutor.
Crites has a 21-year record of public service as a federal, state, and local prosecutor. He was appointed in 1986 to serve as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio by then-President Ronald Reagan, a position he held until 1993. In this role he was responsible for all federal law enforcement in 48 of 88 Ohio counties. A decorated U.S. Navy Captain, Crites was inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame and is a veteran of the Vietnam War. At the peak of his Navy career he helped manage 7,300 personnel.
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