Cozy Up to Corruption

Brunner took campaign cash from corrupt contributors

Associated Press: [Gov. Ted] Strickland and Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner accepted contributions last year from New York apparel executive Norman Hsu. … In 1991, Hsu pleaded no contest to a single felony count of grand theft but failed to appear in court for sentencing, a revelation this week that prompted U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton to return $23,000 in contributions that Hsu made to her presidential and senatorial campaigns and to HillPac, her political action committee. (“Strickland, Brunner donate Hsu’s funds,” Associated Press, 9/1/07)

Columbus Dispatch: Brunner did speak at Hsu's New York home on June 27 this year at the request of the Twenty-First Century Democrats, which held a fundraiser there, [her spokesman] said. (“3 forgo cash linked to donor,” The Columbus Dispatch, Mark Niquette, 8/31/07)

Columbus Dispatch: When Gov. Ted Strickland, Treasurer Richard Cordray and Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner were running for statewide office in 2006, they benefited from the generosity of two pillars of the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party who now are ensnared in a corruption investigation. Cuyahoga County Auditor Frank Russo and Commissioner Jimmy Dimora contributed $50,700 to the three Democratic candidates. Now, the Ohio Republican Party is calling on the officeholders to return the money. Russo and Dimora were the target of FBI raids July 28, when agents lugged away documents from their homes and county offices pertaining to construction projects such as a county administration building and a juvenile court and jail. Investigators also looked for documents about remodeling projects at Russo's and Dimora's homes. (“GOP pushes Cordray to return money,” James Nash, The Columbus Dispatch, 8/14/08)

Brunner has yet to return tainted campaign cash from scandal-tainted Chicago businessman Myron Cherry

Chicago Sun Times: Sen. Barack Obama is giving to charity $3,500 from two donors the Chicago Sun-Times raised ethical questions about over the past several days. Both donors are among a wide circle of people to be referenced in two indictments of Wilmette businessman Tony Rezko, who is fighting public-corruption and business-fraud charges. Michael Winter, who gave $3,000 to Obama's Senate campaign in June 2003, and Myron Cherry, who gave $500 to Obama in July 2004, have been publicly identified as Individuals "G" and "H," respectively, in one case against Rezko. (“Obama to get rid of two campaign donations,” Chris Fusco, Chicago Sun Times, 6/25/07)