Husted files with Court of Common Pleas to enforce ResponsibleOhio subpoenas

Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted asked the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Tuesday to enforce his subpoenas requesting documents and testimony from Ian James and Stephen Letourneau of the Strategy Network in order to advance the investigation into the group’s role in suspected voter fraud while working to place ResponsibleOhio’s State Issue 3 on the ballot.
 
“Ohio’s Constitution and Ohio’s laws require me to maintain fair and honest elections, which compels me to investigate when suspicions of fraud arise, hold those responsible accountable and maintain the confidence of the voters in this state,” Secretary Husted added. “I will defend the statutory authority of my office.”
 
Under the subpoenas, James and Letourneau were both instructed to produce documents relating to their organization’s voter registration and signature collection efforts by September 28, 2015. Both were also required to submit to a deposition by investigators with the Secretary of State on Friday, Oct. 2, 2015.
 

[[In-content Ad]]“We know from our investigation that ResponsibleOhio and the Strategy Network’s petitions contained signatures of dead people – We know from our investigation that they attempted to register people under fake addresses – We know from our investigation there were voter registration forms that were forged and completed by someone other than the registrant – We know from our investigation that practices used in putting this marijuana monopoly on the ballot were at best, questionable, and at worst, fraudulent,” Secretary Husted said. “What we don’t know is the exact depth of the fraud that was committed and who exactly was involved, which is why I have asked the court to enforce the subpoenas and help me find the truth.”
 
The Secretary of State is empowered to hold hearings, issue subpoenas, administer oaths, summon witnesses and compel the production of evidence by Section 3501.05 of the Ohio Revised Code.
 
“Boards of elections have compared ResponsibleOhio’s voter registration and signature-collection efforts to those of ACORN. When anyone doing business in Ohio is compared to a corrupt organization known for defrauding elections and supporting illegal, underground business ventures, it should grab the attention of every election official,” Secretary Husted said.