Overnight Breaking: Noe Changes Plea, Dann Responds
from DDN:
TOLEDO — A coin dealer and major GOP fundraiser asked Wednesday to change his not guilty pleas to federal charges that he illegally funneled donations to President Bush’s re-election campaign.
No indication of what the new plea will be, maybe uncle? Is that a plea? UNCLE!
Marc Dann responds quickly (via email):
Statement of State Senator Marc Dann on Tom Noe’s filing to change pleas
Guilty pleas would only serve to accelerate the march toward ultimate accountability for one of the biggest crooks in Ohio history. Tom Noe’s illegal funneling of $45,400 in contributions to President Bush was a shameless perversion of the American political system and the worst crime of its kind in the history of modern election law. Yet shockingly, it is the least of Tom Noe’s problems. No plea deal will be enough to escape the 53-count indictment he faces for his crimes at the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. Given his closeness to Bob Taft, Betty Montgomery, and other prominent Republican leaders, I suspect that Mr. Noe may not be the biggest fish to fry in this corruption scandal.
That’s only for the Federal Charges, he is still facing 53 Felony counts by the Lucas County Prosecutor.
That trial is scheduled to begin August 29th and they haven’t talked to him or his attorneys about a plea deal.