Scandal in Ohio

August 22, 2005

Golf gave partners access to governor
State contractors, donors took part

By JAMES DREW
and STEVE EDER
BLADE STAFF WRITERS

COLUMBUS - Gov. Bob Taft said he innocently failed to disclose a number of golf outings with old friends, but critics charge that he is guilty of allowing the lobbyists and businessmen who hosted him at Ohio's most exclusive courses to bend his ear and influence his decisions.

The list of Mr. Taft's undisclosed golfing partners included dozens of businessmen who had lucrative state contracts or faced state regulation as well as campaign contributors, who, along with members of their companies, gave more than $230,000 to the governor's campaigns, a Blade investigation showed.

The governor's golfing partners also included lobbyists who have represented dozens of companies seeking state money, deregulation, or policy change.