Republican congressional candidate, Jean Schmidt is currently facing a state investigation by the Joint Legislative Ethics Committee into her actions when she was a state representative.  The investigation is examining why Schmidt and four other Republican lawmakers failed to report $5,000 worth in Bengals tickets and restaurant tabs that a lobbyist for the biotech firm, Chiron Corp. paid for.  Schmidt's campaign aids state in the Cincinnati Enquirer that she did not know that the cost of the luxury seats and dinner at Nicola's Ristorante for both her and her daughter exceeded $75.  However, this response differs from another statement the campaign made that Schmidt knew the gifts exceeded $75, but thought they were from Boomer Esiason, not lobbyists.  At the time, Chiron was lobbying legislators to create a cystic fibrosis task force.  A month later, Schmidt co-sponsored a bill that created a cystic fibrosis task force.

This isn't the first time Schmidt has been accused of unethical activity.  Her bid for a state senate nomination last year was plagued by allegations of foul play, a subsequent statewide investigation by Ohio Secretary of State, Ken Blackwell, and the eventual victory of her rival, Tom Niehaus.  Accusations surfaced against Schmidt's campaign managers Brett Buerck and Kyle Sisk and Larry Householder, the disgraced former House speaker.  Ignoring the preference for officeholders to remain neutral during primaries, Householder actively raised funds for Schmidt and worked in conjunction with Buerck and Sisk, who were his top aids at the time.  The three Republican politicos were accused of threatening lobbyists, engaging in unscrupulous negotiations, and running baseless smear television ads through a purportedly neutral PAC during the Schmidt campaign.    

Threatening Lobbyists

The allegations began when Schmidt's opponent, Tom Niehaus publicly acknowledged a call that he had received from an apologetic lobbyist.  The lobbyist told Niehaus that Householder had contacted him and threatened his lobby with unfavorable legislation if he did not contribute to the Schmidt campaign.  About six other lobbyists informed Niehaus of similar threats made by Householder or his chief of staff, Brett Buerck.  

Kenneth Blackwell, who launched an investigation into the campaign, stated that there is "a direct correlation" between campaign contributions and legislation in the House.  But Blackwell, the official that many blame for Ohio voting irregularities in the 2004 presidential election, may have motivations of his own.  Around the same time, a 109-page report written by Buerck, Sisk, and Householder's spokesman David Crum surfaced that detailed a scheme to destroy Blackwell's political career.  

Smear Ads

The non-profit PAC Ohio Taxpayers Association spent $120,000 running smear television commercials against Niehaus, claiming that he was "anti-tax payer" and that Schmidt was "pro-tax payer."  The ads attacked Niehaus for voting "to raise sales, income, gas and cigarette taxes."  But voting records show that Schmidt voted identically on those exact same taxes.  The Enquirer acknowledged in their endorsement for Schmidt in the District 2 primary that the ads "distorted the two candidates' records on taxes."  Scott Pullins, the head of the Ohio Taxpayers Association admitted that Householder and Sisk raised money for the group and that at least some of that money was used to produce the ads.      

Bonuses

In yet another allegation of unscrupulous practices, the Schmidt campaign contracted to pay Buerck and Sisk hefty bonuses if they could convince Niehaus to drop out of the primary.  If no primary occurred, Buerck was to receive $30,000 and Sisk to receive $20,000.   When questioned at the time, the Ohio Elections Commission chairman, Phil Richter was not sure if such bonuses were illegal, but stated "it's a good question."  

As of April 2005, investigators from the CIA, FBI, and IRS are investigating Brett Buerck, Kyle Sisk, and Larry Householder for their role in campaign finance irregularities in assorted Ohio elections.  In spite of these allegations, Schmidt, who is the godmother of Buerck's child, recently employed Buerck to head up her victorious primary campaign in the 2nd District.