Athens County's top Democrat resigned yesterday, appeasing local politicians who say the party needs to move forward without her leadership.
Susan Gwinn, 55, led the Athens County Democratic Party for 14 years, solidifying its already strong hold on the region. But in the past four months, Gwinn weathered two indictments accusing her of conspiring to bribe voters, launder campaign cash and falsify records.
She's had tremendous success full of tremendous hard work and it's very unfortunate what she's going through and she will be missed
said City Council President Bill Bias, adding Gwinn told him she needed to leave for the good of the party.
A judge found her innocent of all felony charges Monday, but convicted her of two misdemeanors, ruling that Gwinn lied about financial contributions to her failed 2008 campaign for county prosecutor. She stepped down yesterday.
Ethical Challenges
The path to Gwinn's resignation began in 2008 when she challenged sitting Democrat C. David Warren for county prosecutor.
A tip prompted a special prosecutor to investigate her campaign's finances and led to an official complaint to the state's election commission. Grand juries later indicted her for conspiring to bribe voters and launder campaign donations.
Calls for Gwinn's resignation started in September with her indictment, but the majority of the party rallied to her side.
The judge later dismissed the bribery charges, but the scandal only intensified the calls for her removal by top Democrats, including Chris Redfern, state party chairman. Gwinn and Redfern's have had an antagonistic relationship for years.
(The party has) a longstanding policy that if a leader of the party has personal shortcomings or troubles he or she shouldn't put themselves ahead of the party Redfern said.
Those who are convicted of crimes will be first asked to resign membership in any leadership role of any Democratic organization
he said, adding: If they refuse
they will be removed.
Dems: Post-Gwinn
It's time that we focus our energies and our resources on moving forward
Redfern said. I'm pleased that Miss Gwinn accepted responsibility
and now we can focus on the future.
The party can use this opportunity to unify, said Councilman Elahu Gosney (D-at large).
I would like to see an open and transparent party that welcomes all Democrats
he said. In the past there's been different factions in the party
and I think that's unhealthy.
County Prosecutor C. David Warren, who defeated Gwinn in 2008, also said Gwinn's resignation would give the party closure.
Even with her resignation and criminal conviction, Gosney said he still appreciates Gwinn's devotion to their party.
I think that she's made the right decision (resigning)
he said. I also think that she deserves praise for the number of years that she worked extremely hard for the party.
Gwinn declined to comment for this story.
Gail Burkhardt, Libby Cunningham, Ashley Lutz and Caitlin McGlade contributed to this report.
