Pubdate: Sat, 02 Feb 2002
Source: Blade, The (OH)
Copyright: 2002 The Blade
Contact:  http://www.toledoblade.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/48
Author: James Drew, Blade Columbus Bureau

INSPECTOR GENERAL DECLINES TO INVESTIGATE TAFTS

Proponents Of Ballot Issue Consider Lawsuit

COLUMBUS - The Ohio inspector general will not investigate allegations that 
Gov. Bob Taft, his wife Hope, and two high-ranking state officials plotted 
on state time to scuttle a ballot issue.

"We do not find sufficient cause to believe an act of wrongdoing or 
omission occurred that would fall within our jurisdiction," Tom Charles 
wrote yesterday to Ed Orlett, head of the Ohio chapter of the Campaign for 
New Drug Policies.

The group, based in Santa Monica, Calif., is trying to collect enough 
signatures of registered voters to place a constitutional amendment on the 
Nov. 5 ballot to require treatment for nonviolent first and second-time 
drug users instead of jail.

Mr. Orlett filed the complaint last month with Mr. Charles, alleging that 
the Tafts were working on politics during state time over the past year and 
attempting to "subvert the lawful processes of government" by plotting 
against the proposed ballot issue. The complaint also named Luceille 
Fleming, director of the state department of alcohol and drug addiction 
services, and Domingo Herraiz, director of the office of criminal justice 
services.

Yesterday, Mr. Orlett said his group is weighing whether to file a lawsuit.

"The governor and others in his administration should not regard the 
inspector general's decision as immunity from further legal action if they 
continue to disregard Ohio law and the Ohio constitution with further 
attempts to prevent our initiative from being placed before voters and 
tested in a fair and legal election."

Mr. Taft, whose wife has been an anti-drug and alcohol-abuse activist since 
the 1980s, has noted that some people refer to the proposed constitutional 
amendment as "de facto decriminalization of drugs."

Last month, Republican state Auditor Jim Petro denied a request by Mr. 
Orlett's group to do a special audit on whether the Taft administration had 
used state tax dollars improperly to fight the proposed ballot issue.

Citing state law and court decisions, Mr. Petro told Mr. Orlett said it was 
proper for state officials to "spend state time and resources to review 
your proposed constitutional amendment and assess what impact it would have 
on Ohio."

Mr. Charles said Mr. Petro's research helped him reach his decision not to 
investigate the Tafts.

"The governor sets policies and takes positions on all kinds of issues. In 
this case, he happens to oppose the [ballot] issue," Mr. Charles said.
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