Indicted governor pleads 'no contest'; fined, reprimanded and ... completes term of office.

On August 17, 2005, Taft was charged with four criminal misdemeanors stemming from his failure to disclose golf outings paid for by lobbyists, as well as some undisclosed gifts. The Associated Press reported the total value of the undisclosed gifts as about US$5,800; they included:<9>

book and artwork from the consulate general of the People's Republic of China worth $100
a book, autographed football and pottery from then-Governor of Pennsylvania Tom Ridge valued at $128
a photograph and framed medal from the Defense Supply Center worth $85
a $125 framed photograph from Murphy Beading Designer Portraits of Zanesville
an $87 stuffed bear from Meigs County commissioners
a portfolio and clothing worth $119 from the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber.
This was the first time an Ohio governor has ever been charged with a crime while in office.<10>

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 employees.<11> At the time, Taft said he was "very disappointed" in himself.<12>

Taft's conviction was grounds under the Ohio Constitution for impeachment and removal from office by the Ohio General Assembly; however, impeachment proceedings did not occur and Taft remained in office until the end of his second term.

In addition to the criminal sanctions, Taft was issued a public reprimanded by the Ohio Supreme Court on December 27, 2006 for accepting and failing to report gifts and golf outings worth more than $6000.00.<13> This reprimand will be attached to Taft's license to practice law in Ohio.<14>
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more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Taft#Criminal_conviction

Fortunately for him, he was bought off mostly with golf outings, and golf is sacred to Republicans ... so no impeachment.

Do you think they would have even allowed articles to impeachment to be introduced?

....mandating four hours of ethics training for members of his cabinet, assistant cabinet directors, and senior staff every two years."

Perhaps had the good Governor attended some of those ethic training sessions........

pnorman