LaRose condemns OEC Commission over Householder scandal

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose issued the following statement this week on the Ohio Elections Commission’s continued refusal to act on nearly 80 criminal complaints involving Larry Householder’s criminal conspiracy that date back more than five years:
 
“Once again, this Commission has failed to enforce Ohio’s election laws. The refusal to act on these criminal complaints, largely due to the director’s procrastination, is a mockery of justice. More than five years has passed since my office first filed what has now amounted to 180 criminal complaints related to this matter, and the statute of limitations for meaningful prosecution on many of them has since expired. The Commission still has the authority to levy fines, but they’ve once again decided to take no action. This dereliction of duty has potentially allowed criminal behavior to go unpunished, and it sends a disgraceful message to Ohio’s citizenry that the enforcement of our election laws is feckless and toothless.” 
 
The Ohio Elections Commission held a public hearing this week on nearly 80 complaints by the Ohio Secretary of State’s office related to the Householder corruption scandal but chose to defer action once again. Prior to the hearing, Secretary LaRose issued a public letter to the Commission’s director and members reiterating his call for action and stating in part the following:
 
"You have failed to bring justice against the architect of what is described as the largest public corruption scheme in Ohio’s history. This Commission’s negligence has damaged the credibility of a once-respected law enforcement authority and has forced the unprecedented reconstitution of this panel into one that will once again prioritize the integrity of our election laws."
 
Secretary LaRose will ask the Commission to again consider the alleged offenses at its next hearing later this month.