Bob Taft

Robert Alphonso Taft II (born January 8, 1942) has been the Republican governor of the U.S. state of Ohio since 1999. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts.

Criminal charges

On August 17, 2005, Taft was charged with four criminal misdemeanors stemming from his alleged failure to disclose golf outings paid for by lobbyists. The Associated Press reported the total value of the undisclosed gifts as about US$5,800. It is the first time an Ohio governor has ever been charged with a crime while in office. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050817/NEWS01/308170017http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050817/ap_on_re_us/governor_charges;_ylt=AkutjsDBnLjUlke7MNhX8tRH2ocA;_ylu=X3oDMTA3MjBwMWtkBHNlYwM3MTg- At his arraignment in Franklin County Municipal Court in Columbus on August 18, Taft pleaded no contest and was fined $4,000 plus court cost. Judge Mark Froehlich also ordered Taft to apologize to the people of Ohio as well as state workers. In addition, Taft's conviction is grounds under the Ohio Constitution for impeachment and removal from office by the Ohio General Assembly, although this appears unlikely at this time. Taft has also stated that he will not resign from office.

Related Topics:
August 17 - 2005 - Misdemeanors - Golf - Lobbyists - Associated Press - Arraignment - Franklin County - Columbus - August 18 - No contest - Ohio - Impeachment - Ohio General Assembly

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Taft does have the option to fully and unconditionally pardon himself after a potential conviction.

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