GOP Donor Charged

A major GOP donor already involved in an Ohio state government scandal has been charged with giving thousands of dollars to other people to contribute to President Bush’s re-election campaign in order to skirt a $2,000 limit on individual contributions.

Tom Noe, a coin dealer already being investigated for the disappearance of $13 million in Ohio state workers’ compensation funds, was charged in a federal indictment this week with illegally funneling $45,000 to the president’s re-election bid through two dozen friends and associates.

Earlier this year, the Ohio attorney general accused Noe of stealing millions of dollars during an ill-fated $50-million investment in rare coins he managed for the stat workers’ compensation fund.

The investigation also centered on Ohio Governor Bob Taft who was charged with ethics violations for failing to report golf outings and other gifts. Noe also contributed thousands of dollars to Taft’s campaign.

Noe could face up to 15 years in prison and fines of up to $950,000.