Ex-Ohio governor hopeful Joe Blystone could face prosecution for campaign finance mess

Jessie Balmert, Cincinnati Enquirer
·1 min read
Ex-Ohio governor candidate Joe Blystone offered $20,000 to resolve campaign finance violations. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose's office says that's not enough.
Ex-Ohio governor candidate Joe Blystone offered $20,000 to resolve campaign finance violations. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose's office says that's not enough.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

Ex-Ohio governor candidate Joe Blystone's campaign finance violations were so egregious that he should face criminal prosecution, according to Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose's office.

LaRose's office accused Blystone's campaign of "flagrant and continual disregard for the basic requirements of campaign finance reporting" in a Wednesday letter to the campaign. The Ohio Elections Commission is reviewing several possible violations related to Blystone's numerous questionable campaign contributions.

LaRose's office told the Blystone campaign that it would not push the Ohio Elections Commission to send the case for prosecution − if Blystone and his campaign took several steps, including:

  • Acknowledging its intentional failure to track and report contributions in violation of Ohio law.

  • Paying any outstanding obligations, excluding personal or business loans.

  • Terminating the campaign committee.

  • Not seeking public office for at least four years.

Blystone denied the accusations, calling the letter "obvious political bias" and writing on Facebook that "LaRose and his goon squad looks to intimidate." His campaign offered to pay $20,000 to settle the dispute, but LaRose's office rejected that offer, calling it "wholly insufficient."

The Ohio Elections Commission will review the possible campaign finance violations at a Dec. 8 hearing. At that point, the commission's members will decide whether prosecution is warranted, executive director Phil Richter said.

Prosecution is rare but not unprecedented. Newburgh Heights Mayor Trevor Elkins was convicted of campaign finance crimes in April for using campaign money on personal expenses, Cleveland.com reported.

Blystone, known for his long beard and cowboy hat, ran as an outsider candidate against Gov. Mike DeWine in a four-way GOP primary in May. He came in third, winning 21.8% of the vote.

Jessie Balmert is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Akron Beacon Journal, Cincinnati Enquirer, Columbus Dispatch and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio

Get more political analysis by listening to the Ohio Politics Explained podcast

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ex-Ohio governor candidate's fundraising could lead to prosecution