Federal Investigators have been busy looking into the dealings of elected leaders at Columbus City Hall. First, 10 Investigates learned federal agents demanded documents from City Council President Andrew Ginther. Next, it was discovered agents asked for documents from Mayor Coleman.
Now, 10 Investigates uncovered questionable campaign donations coming from one man who gave money to both city leaders.
Political consultant John Raphael contributed money to help get Mayor Coleman and Council President Ginther re-elected. The former CEO of the red light camera company in Columbus pled guilty to attempted bribery. Finley claims she paid money to a consultant to pay off Columbus elected officials.
The federal plea agreement mentions a consultant's donations. 10 Investigates linked donations through campaign finance records to former Cincinnati Councilman Jeff Berding. Councilman Berding was a supporter of the Redflex camera system.
More: Whistleblower: Redflex Had History Of Bribing Govt. Officials
Attorney: "Pay To Play" Was Common At Redflex
10 Investigates also compared campaign finance reports to federal court records, it appears that the alleged bribes are all tied to the same consultant, John Raphael.
The donations include payments made by John Raphael's close family friend, his mother, his brother and a bartending employee at the restaurant Raphael owns, Patrick J’s.
Carrie Long, Raphael's employee, refused to answer any questions on the phone.
Those donations are all for the $1,000 maximum legal limit.
Catherine Turcer is a campaign finance expert with Common Cause Ohio. She examined the campaign finance documents and said, “It's definitely suspicious that's they're all exactly for the same amount. They're all exactly a thousand dollars. They're all exactly the same day."
Turcer added, "I can't give you money to then give to a candidate. The reason why this is interesting is because this looks like not bundling, like, hey my friends all pooled the money together to give to the candidates, this looks like money laundering."
10 Investigates also reached out to Columbus' former Assistant City Safety Director, Gary Holland. He spearheaded a lot of the efforts by the City’s Department of Public Safety to bring cameras to Columbus.
Holland denies any wrongdoing during the selection process for red light cameras, "There was no lobbying done. Because lobbying to me would be they approach us to say, ‘let’s have this contract, here's what we can do.’ Everyone had the same opportunity."
Former Cincinnati councilman Jeff Berding released a statement Wednesday. It reads: “ I was recently made aware of the investigation. I am cooperating with investigators and will continue to do so. I am not accused of any wrongdoing, and I did nothing wrong. I never asked anyone for a campaign contribution in exchange for my vote. Because it's a pending criminal investigation, I've been told not to say anything more at this time.”
John Raphael and his attorney say they have no comment.
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Federal Investigation Of Bribes Continues To Grow - Columbus red light camera bribery connections with Cincinnati.
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