Ohio governor fined but avoids jail on ethics charges

Reuters
Thursday, August 18, 2005; 11:37 AM

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Reuters) - Ohio Republican Gov. Bob Taft, the great-grandson of a U.S. president, was found guilty on Thursday of violating ethics laws for not disclosing free golf outings and other gifts and was fined $4,000 but avoided jail time.

"I accept full responsibility for this mistake. I am very sorry. I am very sorry, thank you for the opportunity," Taft said in a brief statement in Franklin County Municipal Court after pleading no contest to four criminal misdemeanor ethics violations. That plea allowed the judge to find him guilty.