CINCINNATI (TDB) -- A spokesman for Xavier University says the private Jesuit school in Cincinnati has no record of awarding a diploma to Phillip R. Cox, a prominent Ohio business leader who claims to be a graduate with a bachelor of science degree. Cox is a trustee on the University of Cincinnati board. He is also chairman of the board of Cincinnati Bell Inc., an Internet and telephone company with about 3,000 employees in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. There's more on Cincinnati Bell at Yahoo Business. He also serves on the boards of Timken, Duke Energy and Diebold, and was on the Cleveland Federal Reserve Bank's board until 2006 when his term ended.
Cox was appointed to the University of Cincinnati board of trustees by former GOP Gov. Bob Taft in 1999. Cox's term expires in 2008. A brief official biography of Cox appears on the state university's Web site and notes he is a "1968 graduate of Xavier University."
However, Xavier University spokesperson Deb Del Valle told The Daily Bellwether this week that Xavier officials have been unable to find any records showing that Cox received a diploma awarding a degree. She said Xavier has fielded inquiries about Cox's history at Xavier in the past. She said he attended the school, but is not a graduate.
"We cannot say that he has a degree from Xavier. The registrar has searched and there is no record that he is a graduate. This has came up before,'' Del Valle said.
Last May, Cox was questioned in a court deposition (Warren County Common Pleas Court, Case No. 06 CV 66932) and testified he had a degree from Xavier University. Here is an excerpt:
Q, And you went to college in the Cincinnati area as well?
A. Xavier University.
Q. And what year did you graduate from Xavier University, with what degree?
A. 1969. [Editor's Note: The University of Cincinnati bio linked above said Cox graduate from XU in 1968.]
Q. With what degree?
A. Political science, BS.
Q. Was that a bachelor's degree?
A. BS.
Q. A bachelor of science. And did you go on to a graduate level program?
A. No, I did not.
During the deposition, Cox was asked if he had ever made claims about his past that were misleading. He said material was circulating that purported to show he was a fabricator.
Q. It is accusing you of making a practice of lying about your credentials. Do you see that in paragraph 2?
A. Yeah, I see it. Yeah.
Q. You deny that allegation.
A. I deny it, yes.
Q. You would say that you've never been in the Secret Service?
A. Same answer I gave you before, right.
Q. But you would disagree that you ever claimed that you did, correct?
A. Never claimed it.
A. You ever claimed to have a master's degree in psychology?
A. No. I said I had a degree in psychology -- psychology and political science.
Q. And did you ever claim to have a law degree from the University of Michigan?
A. No. I have a degree from the University of Michigan for a course taken there; plaque's on my wall.
Q. What course was that?
A. It was an industry course for financial planning.
The deposition's cover sheet shows it was taken May 31, 2007 at Five Seasons County Club.
Showing posts with label Diebold. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Diebold. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Ohio-Based Diebold: Fighting Bad PR, Changes Name Of Voting Machine Unit
NORTH CANTON (TDB) -- Mired in a maelstrom of suspicion that its electronic voting machines are prone to mistakes and attacks by hackers, Diebold Inc. changed the name of its election systems subsidiary. From today forward, it is to be known as Premier Election Solutions.
The company portrayed the name change as a step to make the voting machine unit more independent so it can grow and prosper. Others saw it as an effort to jettison a problem, or distance Diebold from a troubled subsidiary plagued by controversy that its products are unreliable. Diebold said the election division already was largely independent and received mostly financial support from the parent in Ohio. At the same time, Diebold lowered revenue expectations for the voting unit by nearly $120 million. It had projected sales of up to $215 million.
The corporation in North Canton did not sound very upbeat, and while it did not say Democrats were to blame for lowered sales expectations, it noted a change in the political environment. Democrats took over Congress in January, and some party activists contend that Diebold's machines were manipulated to benefit President George Bush -- a charge that has never been proven but has taken on the trappings of an article of faith.
"As a result of the rapidly changing political environment and pending legislative initiatives related to electronic voting, several large anticipated orders for electronic voting systems have moved from 2007 into 2008 and beyond. Competing federal legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, both related to the use of specific election technologies, has created uncertainty amongst the jurisdictions that make purchasing decisions. In addition, several states have initiated separate, independent reviews of voting technology within their jurisdictions. These combined actions, along with certain key states to move up their primary elections to very early 2008, have significantly delayed purchasing decisions throughout the election systems industry."
Compare that to Premier Elections Solutions, which said it is going to be managed by an independent board. The unit made its comments from Allen, Tex., and sought to distance itself from the parent.
"This is both a fresh identity for our company and a unique opportunity for us to concentrate our focus on providing best-in-class elections solutions for current and potential customers. We will build on a strong tradition of excellence, innovation and customer service, armed with the resources to develop innovative products and service. Premier is and will remain the leader in the election systems industry, and will be an even more engaged, agile and responsive company."
Around the U.S., there are about 25,000 optical scan units and 126,000 touch-screens made by Diebold. There are suspicions they cannot accurately count votes, or can be manipulated to show bogus outcomes.
The company portrayed the name change as a step to make the voting machine unit more independent so it can grow and prosper. Others saw it as an effort to jettison a problem, or distance Diebold from a troubled subsidiary plagued by controversy that its products are unreliable. Diebold said the election division already was largely independent and received mostly financial support from the parent in Ohio. At the same time, Diebold lowered revenue expectations for the voting unit by nearly $120 million. It had projected sales of up to $215 million.
The corporation in North Canton did not sound very upbeat, and while it did not say Democrats were to blame for lowered sales expectations, it noted a change in the political environment. Democrats took over Congress in January, and some party activists contend that Diebold's machines were manipulated to benefit President George Bush -- a charge that has never been proven but has taken on the trappings of an article of faith.
"As a result of the rapidly changing political environment and pending legislative initiatives related to electronic voting, several large anticipated orders for electronic voting systems have moved from 2007 into 2008 and beyond. Competing federal legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, both related to the use of specific election technologies, has created uncertainty amongst the jurisdictions that make purchasing decisions. In addition, several states have initiated separate, independent reviews of voting technology within their jurisdictions. These combined actions, along with certain key states to move up their primary elections to very early 2008, have significantly delayed purchasing decisions throughout the election systems industry."
Compare that to Premier Elections Solutions, which said it is going to be managed by an independent board. The unit made its comments from Allen, Tex., and sought to distance itself from the parent.
"This is both a fresh identity for our company and a unique opportunity for us to concentrate our focus on providing best-in-class elections solutions for current and potential customers. We will build on a strong tradition of excellence, innovation and customer service, armed with the resources to develop innovative products and service. Premier is and will remain the leader in the election systems industry, and will be an even more engaged, agile and responsive company."
Around the U.S., there are about 25,000 optical scan units and 126,000 touch-screens made by Diebold. There are suspicions they cannot accurately count votes, or can be manipulated to show bogus outcomes.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Watching From Ohio: Machine Malfunction, Fraud Charges Marring Iowa Straw Poll
CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Some Republicans are questioning the reliability of voting machines, the accuracy of vote-count results and the honesty of the GOP-managed presidential straw poll in Iowa where nearly half the attendees reportedly didn't cast ballots. Fraud in polling places has been a staple of the left since 2000, when Bush edged Gore in Florida, and 2004, when the president received more votes in Ohio than John Kerry. Now the right seems to be growing suspicious as well.
Iowa's semi-official state Republican Party blog is carrying comments today implying that the Aug. 11, 2007 Iowa Straw Poll won by 2008 presidential candidate Mitt Romney was rigged. Anonymous skeptics have been commenting on Cyclone Conservatives, noting that a voting machine failed. The blog is operated by Dan McDonald, chair of the Iowa Federation of College Republicans.
[UPDATE: Sunday, Aug. 12, 3:08 PM -- Here is more from Iowa about the ballot counting flap. It does look like the Ron Paul camp is stirring the pot, but nobody has come back with a hay maker to knock down their complaints. This may be the Hawkeye State's first taste of what happens after a disputed election.]
[UPDATE 2: Sunday, Aug. 12, 5:49 PM -- David Duke -- yes, that David Duke -- has a Website, where the the Iowa straw polls results are being analyzed. Apparently, the far, far, far right fringe thinks Paul was the big winner. Is Ron Paul a front for the KKK crowd? This is a twist: Paul as the Fuerher's favorite son. Soon, the conspiracy theorists will be at full throttle.]
Apparently, some 1.500 votes were hand counted when a voting machine misfired, triggering comments like this:
"Only half those buying tickets voted? They paid 35 bucks to not vote? Right! There was massive voting fraud here. Four years ago twice as many votes were cast. Are we to believe there was less interest this year? Or did the voting fraud start four years ago."
Another in the same vein:
"I find this process very suspicious. They used Diebold voting machines, which have been shown time and time again to be security nightmares. They had 'machine troubles' which delayed the tally. On top of all this, only about half the attendees voted? Let me guess, no paper trail? Some people got robbed."
MSM blogger Charlotte Eby didn't pick up on the fraud complaints but reported from Ames Saturday that some 1,500 ballots had to be hand counted. Eby said a machine conked out, but offered no specifics.
On Friday, Ron Paul's supporters lost a federal lawsuit challenging the use of voting machines at the straw poll. The argument: The machines could not be trusted.
Now, it looks like the GOP has the beginnings of a mess on its hands. Romney's win will be under a cloud. Rudy Giuliani and John McCain, who both passed up the straw poll, can minimize its import and point to the flap about the event's reliability. Paul's supporters will fan the flames that it was a crooked election.
Bottomline: Iowa was meaningless except as another example that Americans are becoming more suspicious of election results, and many may be losing faith in the accuracy of vote counts.
There was also a report that three voting machine protesters were arrested Saturday in Ames on trespassing charges. That only adds to the mess.
Iowa's semi-official state Republican Party blog is carrying comments today implying that the Aug. 11, 2007 Iowa Straw Poll won by 2008 presidential candidate Mitt Romney was rigged. Anonymous skeptics have been commenting on Cyclone Conservatives, noting that a voting machine failed. The blog is operated by Dan McDonald, chair of the Iowa Federation of College Republicans.
[UPDATE: Sunday, Aug. 12, 3:08 PM -- Here is more from Iowa about the ballot counting flap. It does look like the Ron Paul camp is stirring the pot, but nobody has come back with a hay maker to knock down their complaints. This may be the Hawkeye State's first taste of what happens after a disputed election.]
[UPDATE 2: Sunday, Aug. 12, 5:49 PM -- David Duke -- yes, that David Duke -- has a Website, where the the Iowa straw polls results are being analyzed. Apparently, the far, far, far right fringe thinks Paul was the big winner. Is Ron Paul a front for the KKK crowd? This is a twist: Paul as the Fuerher's favorite son. Soon, the conspiracy theorists will be at full throttle.]
Apparently, some 1.500 votes were hand counted when a voting machine misfired, triggering comments like this:
"Only half those buying tickets voted? They paid 35 bucks to not vote? Right! There was massive voting fraud here. Four years ago twice as many votes were cast. Are we to believe there was less interest this year? Or did the voting fraud start four years ago."
Another in the same vein:
"I find this process very suspicious. They used Diebold voting machines, which have been shown time and time again to be security nightmares. They had 'machine troubles' which delayed the tally. On top of all this, only about half the attendees voted? Let me guess, no paper trail? Some people got robbed."
MSM blogger Charlotte Eby didn't pick up on the fraud complaints but reported from Ames Saturday that some 1,500 ballots had to be hand counted. Eby said a machine conked out, but offered no specifics.
On Friday, Ron Paul's supporters lost a federal lawsuit challenging the use of voting machines at the straw poll. The argument: The machines could not be trusted.
Now, it looks like the GOP has the beginnings of a mess on its hands. Romney's win will be under a cloud. Rudy Giuliani and John McCain, who both passed up the straw poll, can minimize its import and point to the flap about the event's reliability. Paul's supporters will fan the flames that it was a crooked election.
Bottomline: Iowa was meaningless except as another example that Americans are becoming more suspicious of election results, and many may be losing faith in the accuracy of vote counts.
There was also a report that three voting machine protesters were arrested Saturday in Ames on trespassing charges. That only adds to the mess.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Another Ohio Voting Flap: Rural Board Withholds Records
CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Reporter Alana Fahy of the Eagle-Gazette reports today that election officials in Fairfield County stonewalled a public records request for audit logs and electronic copies of poll books used last November. She said election officials are awaiting approval from Diebold Inc., which made the county's voting machines, before releasing the data.
"We want to make sure of what we are and are not permitted to do," Election Director Debbie Henderly said, a statement ripe with indications that the Fairfield County Board of Elections doesn't feel entirely in charge of voting processes and machinery these days.
The delay also looks to be in direct conflict with Ohio open records law. Fahy interviewed Candice Hoke, at Cleveland State University's center of election integrity, who said Diebold does not have authority to trump state law. "Logs should not be treated as proprietary information because the information is generated in the process of an election. These are all within the public domain," Hoke said.
Somehow, someday, somebody will realize that openness and transparency in the election process maintain and build public confidence. Doesn't delay fuel suspicion and add to concerns that that elections can be rigged? Shouldn't Fairfield County hand over records as quickly as possible? Does not the public take priority over Diebold? One could opine that stonewalling just adds to Ohio's reputation as a state where ballots are mishandled and miscounted.
The Fairfield Board of Elections Web site is HERE. And Candice Hoke's Center of Election Integrity at Cleveland State is HERE. She served on the panel that urged reforms on the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, which has been plagued with screw ups.
"We want to make sure of what we are and are not permitted to do," Election Director Debbie Henderly said, a statement ripe with indications that the Fairfield County Board of Elections doesn't feel entirely in charge of voting processes and machinery these days.
The delay also looks to be in direct conflict with Ohio open records law. Fahy interviewed Candice Hoke, at Cleveland State University's center of election integrity, who said Diebold does not have authority to trump state law. "Logs should not be treated as proprietary information because the information is generated in the process of an election. These are all within the public domain," Hoke said.
Somehow, someday, somebody will realize that openness and transparency in the election process maintain and build public confidence. Doesn't delay fuel suspicion and add to concerns that that elections can be rigged? Shouldn't Fairfield County hand over records as quickly as possible? Does not the public take priority over Diebold? One could opine that stonewalling just adds to Ohio's reputation as a state where ballots are mishandled and miscounted.
The Fairfield Board of Elections Web site is HERE. And Candice Hoke's Center of Election Integrity at Cleveland State is HERE. She served on the panel that urged reforms on the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, which has been plagued with screw ups.
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