Ohio GOP Fundraiser Charged With Theft

Prosecutors charged a prominent Republican fundraiser Monday with theft and money laundering in an investigation of a controversial state investment in rare coins that has embroiled the GOP in scandal during an election year.

The 53 charges against coin dealer Tom Noe conclude a 10-month investigation by state and federal prosecutors into the $50-million rare coin investment Noe managed for the state insurance fund for injured workers.

Noe’s lawyer has acknowledged a shortfall of up to $13 million of the money Noe invested for the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. The state attorney general has accused Noe of stealing up to $6 million.

Noe, 51, already faced charges of using colleagues and associates to illegally funnel $45,000 to President Bush’s reelection campaign. The new counts include forgery, theft, money laundering and tampering with records.

The investigation led to sweeping changes at the state workers’ compensation bureau and charges against Gov. Robert A. Taft and four former aides.

Last year, Taft pleaded no contest to accepting golf games and other gifts he did not report. Last week, Douglas Talbott and Doug Moormann became the third and fourth former Taft aides charged with ethics violations because of their relationship with Noe.

Moormann was a spokesman for former Lt. Gov. Maureen O’Connor and then Taft’s executive assistant for business and industry. He was charged with failing to mention on an ethics form that Noe lent him $5,000 in 2004.

Talbott was Taft’s director of boards and commissioners. He was accused of failing to report that Noe lent him $39,000 in 2002.

Talbott also was charged with failing to mention his participation in what investigators dubbed the “Noe Supper Club,” a frequent steakhouse gathering of state officials paid for by Noe.

Talbott also was accused of illegally funneling $1,960 received from Noe into the campaigns of three Ohio justices.