Posted on 07/19/2005 8:08:27 PM PDT by SmithL
COLUMBUS, Ohio - A county elections director has been disciplined for accepting a $10,000 check from the representative of a voting-machine company.
Matthew Damschroder, head of the Franklin County Board of Elections, will lose 30 days pay for taking the check - which he forwarded to the local Republican Party - from a representative of Diebold Election Systems.
Damschroder violated rules against employees accepting political contributions on the job, said Board Chairman William A. Anthony Jr. The bipartisan elections board unanimously approved the forfeiture of pay for Damschroder, who makes $97,240 a year.
When the check was forwarded in January 2004, the board was opening bids for new voter-registration software. Diebold didn't get the contract, and Damschroder said Monday that he never recommended the company.
The encounter - and Damschroder's claim that Diebold representative Pasquale "Pat" Gallina later boasted of a $50,000 donation to groups that support Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell - was revealed as part of a lawsuit by one of Diebold's competitors, Election Systems and Software.
ES&S charges that Blackwell improperly favored Diebold in selecting electronic voting machines for use statewide.
A spokesman for Blackwell has denied the claims.
Gallina wouldn't address questions about any donations to Blackwell and said that the contribution to Franklin County Republicans was his own and not on Diebold's behalf.
A spokesman for North Canton-based Diebold said the company knew nothing of Gallina's donation. The company formally barred employees from making political donations in June 2004.
Members of the elections board have said the Franklin County prosecutor is investigating whether Damschroder or Gallina broke any laws. A message was left Tuesday seeking comment from the prosecutor.
I think of this as a good thing, merely on the basis that it will drive the left wing voting-conspiracy block absolutely crazy.
Well, MORE crazy.
" I think of this as a good thing, merely on the basis that it will drive the left wing voting-conspiracy block absolutely crazy.
Well, MORE crazy "
Me too. I only wish the words Halliburton and Rove were included to complete the madness.
What, no jail?
Thought you might be interested in this!
Why would anyone not view this as a good thing? The fact is this guy accepted a check from a Diebold representative. Proper ethics would have demanded that he refuse the check, and disclose the incident to his superiors. I don't care if he claims that he never recommended Diebold or if Diebold did or didn't get the contract. The mere appearance of impropriety should be avoided.
moonbats gonna love this story.
yeah
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