COLUMBUS -The state's ethics commission, currently dominated by Democrats as it investigates Gov. Bob Taft, R-Ohio, does not let politics get in the way of its deliberations, its longtime chairman said.
The Ohio Ethics Commission, which is investigating Taft's failure to report several golf outings, holds a regular monthly meeting today.
No action was expected on Taft, although the commission's meetings are closed and commission members would not talk specifically about the investigation.
The commission is investigating Taft, following his acknowledgment that he failed to report up to 60 golf outings as governor.
Taft could be charged if he failed to report outings paid for by others that exceeded $75.
The six-person commission is bipartisan by law but has one current vacancy that gives Democrats a three-two edge.
Commission chairman Merom Brachman, who made political contributions to Taft several years ago, said the committee often investigates elected officials without regard to their party affiliation.
The commission has often dealt with matters affecting elected officials and I'm not aware of past campaign contributions ever limiting the ability to review and enforce the law
Brachman said Wednesday.
Brachman, a Columbus business owner and a Republican, gave Taft $1,850 between 1993 -when Taft was secretary of state -and 1998, when Taft ran for governor, according to state campaign finance records. 17
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