Investigation continues in mysterious political letter
The Highland County Press
Action could be taken soon regarding a mysterious political letter with ties to a recent Republican primary election in southern Ohio.
As previously reported, in February of this year, prior to the Republican primary election for Ohio's 91st House District, Hillsboro candidate Barb Cole received what appear to be a letter of endorsement from State Rep. Jim Butler, an Oakwood Republican, in her campaign against incumbent State Rep. Cliff Rosenberger, a Clarksville Republican.
That letter – dated Feb. 19, 2014 on Rep. Butler's stationery – remains part of an ongoing criminal investigation by the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
This week, The Columbus Dispatch reported that Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien may soon take action in the matter.
Rep. Butler, who is Rosenberger’s chief rival to be the next House speaker, said he never wrote the letter.
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"An investigation led by the Ohio Highway Patrol apparently identified the person who sent it as a House page who is assigned to a separate Republican lawmaker. O’Brien said he asked the Ohio Highway Patrol to do some additional investigation, and he expects that report to reach him as soon as this week. He wants to know if the young man really acted alone," the Dispatch said.
“I did not write that letter,” Rep. Butler told The Dispatch in July. “I was alerted to some potential criminal activity, and I alerted the proper law-enforcement agencies. It is an ongoing investigation, so that is all the comment I can give you.”
Cole lost her primary campaign to Rosenberger, who was endorsed by the Highland County Republican Party.