Here are excerpts from the Akron Beacon Journal:
Prosecutors can use evidence seized in a raid of a rare coin business owned by a major Republican donor at the center of the state's investment scandal, a judge ruled Tuesday.
Common Pleas Judge Thomas Osowik consolidated eight theft charges against coin dealer Tom Noe into one, but he let stand another theft charge that carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and refused to dismiss other counts.
Prosecutors called the rulings a victory....
...Noe has pleaded not guilty to theft, forgery, money laundering and racketeering charges related to a $50 million dollar investment in rare coins he managed for the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation. Prosecutors have accused him of stealing at least $1 million....
...Noe's trial is to begin Oct. 10, just four weeks before the November elections.
The scandal has led to ethics charges against Republican Gov. Bob Taft, who pleaded no contest and was fined for failing to report gifts such as golf outings. It also has led to the ouster of the bureau's administrator, the firing of its chief investment officer and an overhaul of the fund's investment operations....
