Ohio House Democrats Call on SOS LaRose to Investigate Ghost Contributions from FirstEnergy PAC

Members of the Ohio House Democratic Caucus sent a formal letter to Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose today demanding an investigation into a campaign finance report filed by FirstEnergy PAC that referenced ghost contributions to the 13 Democrats that were never sent, received or cashed.

The Democrats took SOS LaRose to task for posting an erroneous campaign finance report on his official website that contains “dramatically inaccurate information.” The lawmakers asked LaRose to remove the filing while he investigates FirstEnergy PAC for potentially violating the law in by filing an erroneous report.

“FirstEnergy PAC has incorrectly and inexplicably reported campaign contributions to various state legislators, many of whom have confirmed that they never received a check — including all of the signatories to this letter,” the letter states.

“Disclosure is so important, but disclosure of false information is as bad as secrecy. We also ask that you issue a public statement as soon as possible explaining how this happened. With candidate disclosures not due until October 22, this erroneous report creates unnecessary confusion as Ohioans are seeking to better understand the corrupt activity of FirstEnergy and Larry Householder,” the letter outlines.

The 13 signers are state Reps. Janine Boyd, D-Cleveland, Gail Crawley, D-Columbus, Michael Sheehy, D-Toledo, Bride Rose Sweeney, D-Cleveland, Phil Robinson, D-Canton, Stephanie Howse, D-Cleveland, Pete Crossman, D-Cleveland, Lisa Sobecki, D-Toledo, Michele Lepore-Hagan, D-Youngstown, Tavia Galonski, D-Akron, Thomas West, D-Canton, Terrence Upchurch, D-Cleveland, and Paula Hicks-Hudson, D-Toledo.’

Read the letter here.