Thursday, November 03, 2005

Culture of Corruption: ETHICS SCANDAL

‘Conduits’ unsure of a problem, says lawyer
5 allegedly passed Noe cash to Bush

By MIKE WILKINSON
BLADE STAFF WRITER


When Tom Noe invited some people to a fund-raiser for President Bush with the promise of reimbursement, some were suspicious but took his money anyway, their attorney said yesterday.

“Some thought it smelled a little bit,” Bill Connelly said yesterday. “But they didn’t inquire further.”

Mr. Connelly, whose clients in the matter include Toledo City Councilman Betty Shultz, Lucas County Commissioner Maggie Thurber, and former Toledo mayor Donna Owens, said others had no idea it was a problem and were “flabbergasted” to learn he was under investigation.

Mr. Connelly also represents Ms. Thurber’s husband, Sam, and jeweler Jeffrey Mann. All five of his clients testified before the federal grand jury investigating Mr. Noe...

No comments: