Convicted of 29 felonies, Republican fundraiser, Tom Noe will be sentenced soon. However, under Ohio law, it is possible that Ohio's Republican Governor, Bob Taft, could give Noe a pardon. The Toledo Blade has an article that discusses the possibility:
Gov. Bob Taft said yesterday he hopes Judge Thomas Osowik gives a stiff sentence to the man who derailed his legacy by triggering a corruption investigation that led to his own conviction.
“Tom Noe obviously had his day in court, the jury looked at all the evidence, and the jury spoke, and the jury determined that he was guilty,” Mr. Taft said. “Now justice should be served and should be done, and he should be punished to the fullest extent of the law.”
And conspiracy theorists can relax.
Mr. Taft said he has no intention of giving Mr. Noe a pardon.
When asked if he would exercise his right to grant pardons to Noe or anyone involved in the scandal, the governor said, “No. No.”
The issue of a pardon has been raised by many — in the Lucas County courthouse and beyond — who wondered if Mr. Taft would let one of his former political patrons and best fund-raisers off the hook for the 10 or more years he faces in prison.
In Ohio, the sitting governor can grant pardons to individuals who are convicted of crimes in state courts.
Noe was convicted Monday of 29 felony counts related to charges that he stole more than $2 million from the rare-coin funds he managed for the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation....
We can only hope that Taft keeps his word and doesn't give Noe a pardon.
