• June 18, 2005: Headlines: Figures: COS - Tanzania: Politics: State Government: Washington Post : Apology Statement From Ohio Gov. Bob Taft  Saturday, August 20, 2005 - 3:01 pm [1]

Gov. Bob Taft pleaded no contest to charges that he broke state ethics law



"There are no words to express the deep remorse that I feel over the embarrassment that I have caused for my administration and the people of the state of Ohio," Taft said. The governor has fired others over ethics violations. But he said Thursday he would not resign, saying he still can be an effective governor and has much he wants to accomplish. Ohio Governor Robert Taft served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Tanzania in the 1960's.

Gov. Bob Taft pleaded no contest to charges that he broke state ethics law

Ohio Governor Enter No Contest Plea

By ANDREW WELSH-HUGGINS
The Associated Press
Thursday, August 18, 2005; 11:59 AM

[Excerpt]

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Gov. Bob Taft pleaded no contest Thursday to charges that he broke state ethics law by failing to report golf outings and other gifts. A judge found him guilty and fined him $4,000.

Taft told Franklin County Municipal Judge Mark Froehlich he chose not to plead guilty but was taking responsibility for ethics lapses. His no-contest plea wraps up the case less than 24 hours after Taft became the first Ohio governor charged with a crime.

He was fined the maximum $1,000 for each of four misdemeanor counts. As expected, no jail time was ordered. The charges had carried a maximum sentence of six months on each count.

Taft nodded his head as the charges were read, and his wife, Hope, sat behind him showing no emotion.

The second-term Republican said that as governor he had expected all state workers to follow state ethics laws, adding, "In this instance I have failed to live up to the those high expectations."

The judge ordered him to apologize.

"From the shores of Lake Erie to the banks of the Ohio River, I want them to know that you are sorry for what you have done," Froehlich said.

Taft's voice cracked as he spoke later at a news conference.

"There are no words to express the deep remorse that I feel over the embarrassment that I have caused for my administration and the people of the state of Ohio," Taft said. The governor has fired others over ethics violations. But he said Thursday he would not resign, saying he still can be an effective governor and has much he wants to accomplish.

A no-contest plea is not an admission of guilt but means the defendant will not fight the charges. After Taft entered the plea, Froehlich found him guilty, a routine step in Ohio in no-contest pleas.

Defense attorney William Meeks said Taft has repaid people for the gifts.

Taft was charged Wednesday with failing to report 52 gifts worth nearly $6,000, including dinners, golf games and professional hockey tickets over four years. Taft earlier had revealed that he failed to report some outings but said the omissions were accidental.

When this story was posted in August 2005, this was on the front page of PCOL:



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Military Option sparks concerns The U.S. military, struggling to fill its voluntary ranks, is allowing recruits to meet part of their military obligations by serving in the Peace Corps. Read why there is rising opposition to the program among RPCVs. Director Vasquez says the agency has a long history of accepting qualified applicants who are in inactive military status. John Coyne says "Not only no, but hell no!" Latest: RPCV Chris Matthews to discuss the issue on Hardball tonight.

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Top Stories: August 1, 2005 Paul E. Tsongas Public Service Award unveiled 21 July Charlie Peters writes book on Wendell Willkie 25 July Protests against Peace Corps in Bangladesh 30 July Christopher R. Hill leads talks with North Korea 29 July Chris Shays blocks senator's plan to reopen bases 29 July Dr. Joann LaPerla-Morales leads Middlesex College 28 July Jacob Mundy supports struggle in Western Sahara 28 July Paul Theroux blames big oil for ‘catastrophe’ in Ecuador 28 July Bruce Wilkinson has called Africa home for 17 years 25 July Taylor Hackford producing "E-Ring" for tv 25 July Robert Haas to retire as head of Levi Strauss 24 July Brent Lynn turned Janus Overseas Fund around 24 July James Rupert says Musharraf walks tightrope in Pakistan 23 July Thomas O. Mann describes Carp Fishing in France 22 July Rob Quigley receives Maybeck Award in Architecture 22 July Blackwill says visit by India PM a 'historical breakthrough' 21 July NPCA studies membership structure 21 July Mark Lenzi says Poles deserve the West's support 20 July Mark Gearan weighs in on Bush's Supreme Court pick 20 July Ofelia Miramontes championed bilingual education 18 July Hank Stelzer supports school for blind in Lesotho 16 July

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Special Events for RPCVs RPCV's "Taking the Early Bus" at Cal State until Aug 15 "Artists and Patrons in Traditional African Cultures" in NY thru Sept 30 See RPCV Musical "Doing Good" in CA through Sept RPCV Film Festival in DC in October

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July 17, 2005: This Week's Top Stories C. Payne Lucas writes "Can we win the war on HIV/Aids?" 11 July Director Vasquez hints at expansion in Bangladesh 17 July Why didn't I spend my life helping others? 17 July John Beasley returns to the islands of Micronesia 17 July Jennifer Field to study glacier melting 17 July Tucker McCravy works with Serendib in Sri Lanka 17 July David Vick writes "Waging civilized warfare" 16 July Tom Petri says Nelson helped to promote civility 16 July Peace Corps Director Visits Volunteers in Mongolia 15 July John Bridgeland writes "An example for Boomers" 15 July Robert Blackwill says India and US have a great future 15 July Peace Corps debuts new internet recruitment tool 14 July Eight New Country Directors Appointed 13 July Shelton Johnson Honored for Buffalo Soldier program 13 July Bill Lorenz leads trek for Sudanese refugees 12 July Emilie Pryor says Peace Corps ignores Lariam problems 12 July DDN is Award Finalist for reporting on PC Safety 11 July Randy Lewis to hire 200 people with cognitive disabilities 10 July Maryland needs people like Tom Lewis 10 July Dan DeWayne puts on music festival 10 July

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Friends of the Peace Corps 170,000 strong 170,000 is a very special number for the RPCV community - it's the number of Volunteers who have served in the Peace Corps since 1961. It's also a number that is very special to us because March is the first month since our founding in January, 2001 that our readership has exceeded 170,000. And while we know that not everyone who comes to this site is an RPCV, they are all "Friends of the Peace Corps." Thanks everybody for making PCOL your source of news for the Returned Volunteer community.

Read the stories and leave your comments.

By :Larry Jackson (222.173.75.224) on Friday, September 23, 2005 - 2:44 pm: Edit Post

I note the quotes of RCPV's reacting to the proposals relative to former military members serving in the Peace Corps. Are there no cooments relative to the other side?

I take offense at the obvious orchestrated effort to besmirch the reputation of former members of the military. I also know there was at least one comment on the other side of the issue. Mine.

Could it be that the P.C. isn't P.C.?

Larry Jackson, RCPV, Morocco

By Admin1 (admin) (pool-151-196-44-58.balt.east.verizon.net - 151.196.44.58) on Friday, September 23, 2005 - 4:29 pm: Edit Post

You will find opinions on both sides of the issue if you look here.

Best Regards,


Admin1