Frank Thomas Staff Writer
The county's former top Democrat wants the judge who found her guilty of falsifying campaign records to change his mind.
Former Democratic Party Chairwoman Susan Gwinn, 55, filed a motion for acquittal Monday. Earlier this month, Judge William H. Wolff Jr. found Gwinn guilty of two counts of falsification, a misdemeanor, but not guilty of felony theft in office and unauthorized use of property.
The two falsification charges and the money laundering charge stemmed from her failed bid for Athens County prosecutor in 2008.
The case's special prosecutor, Dave Yost of Delaware County, said Gwinn funneled $27,500 in campaign contributions from friends and relatives through personal bank accounts. He also said she falsified records of those contributions by claiming them as a loan she gave her own campaign and not as donations from other people.
In the motion, Gwinn's lawyers wrote that, according to a section of the Ohio Administrative Code, Gwinn did not need to list her lenders if she repaid part or all of the loans.
Gwinn fully repaid one of her lenders and has at least partially repaid another lender, according to the motion.
The defense attorneys did not know about the section of the Ohio Administrative Code cited in the acquittal motion until after the trial, according to their motion.
Gwinn will return to court Feb. 19 for sentencing. She could spend a maximum of one year in prison.
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Gail Burkhardt
