WOSU News » governor’s

Ohio Public Safety Director Speaks out on Inspector General Report on Scuttled Sting at Governor’s Residence

Karen Kasler — Tue, 18 May 2010 00:00:00 +0000

For the first time, the state’s top public safety official is speaking out about the decision to call off an operation involving a suspicious package to be dropped off at the Governor’s Residence in January.

Inspector General Tom Charles blasted the decision to call off that package drop, and said public safety officials made false statements during his investigation.

But Public Safety Director Cathy Collins-Taylor says the inspector general had a predetermined conclusion in mind and mischaracterized facts.

NOTE: Karen Kasler’s entire interview with Public Safety Director Cathy Collins-Taylor will be on “The State of Ohio” on WOSU-TV at 5:30pm Friday, May 21.

RELATED STORY FROM ASSOCIATED PRESS: a Democratic state representative proposes a law that would require the Ohio watchdog to step aside from investigations involving an agency where he or a family member has worked.

The bill from state Rep. Dennis Murray comes as hearings are set to begin Wednesday in the confirmation of Public Safety Director Cathy Collins-Taylor.

State Inspector General Tom Charles issued a report critical of Collins-Taylor’s actions surrounding the cancellation of a contraband sting at the governor’s residence. The sting has become politically touchy for Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland.

Charles is a former trooper. His wife is a Highway Patrol officer.

Murray’s bill calls for the deputy inspector general to take over when the inspector general has a potential conflict.

Officer: Sting at Ohio Governor’s Home Kept Quiet

Karen Kasler — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

A retired State Highway Patrol officer says officials called off a drug sting at the Ohio governor’s residence to avoid scrutiny, not for safety reasons.

Maj. Robert Booker told a Senate committee on Wednesday that authorities had cleared the Jan. 9 operation, and that it was aborted “to keep things quiet.”

State authorities say a woman planned to hide contraband behind the mansion for pick up by an inmate on work detail. They chose to warn her and cancel the bust, partly out of concern for Gov. Ted Strickland’s safety. Booker says the contraband was drugs, not tobacco as officials have said.

Democrats on the committee stormed out before Booker’s testimony, saying it interferes with a state watchdog investigation.

Ohio and Four Other Governors Present $1 Trillion Bailout Proposal

Jo Ingles — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Five Democratic governors including Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland are asking the federal government for a $1 trillion bailout package.

The package includes $250 billion for education and $150 billion in middle class tax cuts.

The governors from Ohio, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York have presented their plan to President-elect Barack Obama’s transition team as well as congressional leaders.

The governors say that that level of federal aid is needed to deal with unprecedented state budget shortfalls in 41 states and Washington, D.C..

Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle say congressional leaders and the Obama team have been receptive to the governors’ ideas.

Signs of the Times: Changing Ohio’s Leader

Karen Kasler — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 00:00:00 +0000

State agencies have been working on the most visible representation of the transition between Governor Bob Taft’s administration and that of Governor Ted Strickland. They are changing road signs, websites, letterhead and other documents throughout state government. Ohio Public Radios Karen Kasler reports.