More On Bail Bond Scandal In Hamilton County: Cincinnati Police Didn't Receive Court-Ordered $$$$ Forfeitures

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- At a time when crime is high and up to 112 cops face layoffs due to pinched government budgets, it seems absurd that large sums earmarked for law enforcement haven't reached Cincinnati police and suburban departments.  The Daily Bellwether has located records indicating nearly $2 million in forfeited bail bonds is due and owing.  There could be more; the $2 million is what this blog tracked down in 50 forfeiture cases dating back to the 1990s.  One bail bond company appears to have 26 unpaid forfeiture judgments -- the math indicates the judgments total about $1.05 million.  The business still seems to be writing bonds.  Last week, the courthouse was buzzing with rumors of a federal investigation about a financial scandal centered on uncollected bail bonds.  But the issue goes deeper -- it impacts public safety and keeping cops on the streets.

Officials at the Republican controlled courthouse appear to know they have a problem.  Hamilton County Clerk of Courts Patricia Clancy said in budget documents filed with the county commissioners last month that she was going after the forfeitures:  "The Clerk is also working with the prosecutor to recover forfeited bonds monies that remain uncollected." 

The topic of uncollected bonds received one sentence in a five-page, single-spaced document that admits in its own words local government faces a serious "budget crisis."  Talk about burying an issue.

Why wasn't the recovery effort pursued earlier?   The Bellwether has found records indicating that one of the uncollected bonds dates back to 1991, another to 1997.  Many of the uncollected forfeitures date back to years when Republican County Commissioner Greg Hartmann was serving in the court clerk's office. There are numerous examples of money owed to the Cincinnati police, who are supposed to use forfeited bail bonds to target drug crimes.  But they haven't gotten all the cash that is supposed to come their way from the court clerk's office.  Here's one example from Case No. B 08-05552-B, which involves an accused drug trafficker from Detroit who posted a $200,000 bail.  When the person didn't show up in court, Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Melba Marsh ordered the $200,000 forfeited.  She signed the judgement entry on April 2, 2009 and said about $160,000 should go to the Cincinnati cops.  Here's are a few pertinent paragraphs from the court order:

"WHEREFORE, it is further ordered pursuant to R.C. 2925.11(E) that the forfeited bond funds on deposit with the Clerk of Courts be paid as follows:
 "First, to the Clerk of Courts to satisfy the costs on the bond forfeiture proceeding; then the remaining balance is to be divided eighty (80%) to the Cincinnati Police Department and twenty percent (20%) to the Prosecuting Attorney of Hamilton County, pursuant to R.C. 2925.50.  In any additional funds come into the possession of the Clerk of Courts relative to the judgment on Bond Forfeiture, those additional funds are to be divided on the same pro rata basis as set forth above.  The aforementioned funds shall be used to law enforcement efforts pertaining to drug offenses."

While that seems to indicate the money was "on deposit," the reality appears to be different.  Four months later, the Clerk of Court's office obtained a certificate of judgment for $200,009 that named the bondsman and the defendant.  It is a legal document showing the debt remains on the books.  Somehow an accused heroin trafficker from Detroit was caught in Cincinnati, posted bond to get out of jail, skipped town, and has yet to deliver the $200,000 a judge ordered forfeited.  And the forfeiture was supposed to go to the Cincinnati police to fight drug crime on the streets.

Here's another example, Case No. B09-004059.  Common Pleas Judge Dennis Helmick ordered an accused drug trafficker to forfeit a $100,000 bond after he failed to show up.  The trafficker is still at-large.  Helmick said on May 1, 2008 that $80,000 should go to the Cincinnati police "for law enforcement efforts pertaining to drug offenses."

That $80,000 doesn't appear to have reached to the police for the fight against street crime.  A certificate of judgement shows the debt is still on the books unpaid.

Rumors Fly That Jim Tarbell Will Fold Commissioner Bid: Dems Now Gearing For Two-Person Primary?

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Word has it that former Cincinnati Vice Mayor Jim Tarbell -- who failed to nail down a party endorsement last Thursday -- could be preparing to abandon his campaign for the Democratic nomination as Hamilton County Commissioner. Nothing official from Tarbell yet. Dem Chair Tim Burke is openly backing Cincinnati City Councilman Cecil Thomas, who pulled out the race but now is officially back in. A third Democrat, Whitewater Township Trustee Hubert Brown, has already filed nominating petitions and says he intends to be on the primary ballot no matter who else is running. Brown, 58, a former International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers organizer and business agent, tells The Daily Bellwether: "I'm in. I'm already on the ballot. I'm not going away."

All three Democrats want to succeed David Pepper as county commissioner. Pepper is running for state auditor. Brown, Tarbell and Thomas all sought the Hamilton County Democratic Party's endorsement last Thursday night. None got it. Tarbell seems to be the odd man out because Brown has labor support and Thomas has Burke. Thomas, an African American who is serving his third term on Cincinnati's City Council, appears to have the most inside support. Gov. Ted Strickland and Dem Chair Burke believe Thomas' presence on the fall ballot will help Democratic candidates by boosting the turnout of African American voters in Hamilton County. While Thomas is not Obama, he is seen by party elders as offering some ability to rekindle 2008's Obama effect at the local polls.

Brown, who has held elected office for 14 years, points out that he has been able to win in his township by attracting Republican and independent voters. "At one point, Whitewater Township was just 4% Democratic," Brown said. "I'm in this because I think I'm the better candidate." Brown adds" "We want to keep this a Democratic (commission) seat. If you don't get any votes in the county, how are you going to win?"

[Ed. Note: The Daily Bellwether hopes to hear first hand from Jim Tarbell about his plans. He's welcome to send a statement to Cincybwellether@yahoo.com. The Bellwether will be glad to publish it.]

Cecil Thomas Says He May Run For Hamilton County Commisser: A Dem Primary With Jim Tarbell?

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Cincinnati City Councilman Cecil Thomas tells The Daily Bellwether he's reconsidering his decision that took him out of the contest for a seat on the Hamilton County Commission. Last Friday, Thomas said he would not be a candidate. Now he says he's wavering: "I may do it. I'm hearing from a lot of people, the governor on down. I'll decide by the end of the week." Asked directly if he was leaning toward running, Thomas said "yes." Former vice mayor Jim Tarbell says he's coming out of political retirement and running as a Democrat for the open County Commission seat now held by David Pepper, the Democratic candidate for state auditor. Tarbell served four terms on city council as a member of the Charter Party.

So far, it's not clear if Tarbell would withdraw to clear the way for Thomas or if they would face each other in the May primary. Tarbell could not be reached for comment. (There may be more from him later today.)

Two Republican council members plan to run for Pepper's seat -- Leslie Ghiz and Chris Monzel. Thomas is in his third council term. He is a former police officer and former director of the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission. He is African American, and could make history if he becomes the first black elected to the commission. Thomas said he had been concerned that he would not be able to raise a large enough campaign warchest for the race. He now thinks he could be competitive: "People know me, they know what I stand for, what I'm about."

Getting The Fat Out Of Local Government In Cincinnati

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Pork and politics go together like meat and potatoes. Politicans are always hamming it up about keeping things lean. They soak their speeches with examples of government gravy. Now Cincinnati Post columnist Joe Wessels has a delightful morsel about the latest in FLAB BUSTING efforts , and it is not what you think.

Kentucky's Mitch McConnell: Stumps For Ohio's DeWine

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is scheduled to headline a Cincinnati fundraiser next week for Pat DeWine, the Republican Hamilton County Commissioner who is launching his reelection campaign with a $350-a-plate luncheon. A table for 8 costs $2,500. It's a right neighborly gesture by a powerful pol from across the Ohio River, considering DeWine wanted out of the county job not too long after he was sworn in. Yep, he wanted to pack up and leave for Washington and spent more than $1 million in campaign funds trying to get there.

DeWine is a lawyer at Keating, Muething & Klekamp and the son of former U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine, who was turned out of office after two terms last November by Ohio Democrat Sherrod Brown. It looks like McConnell, a Kentuckian who is one of the nation's highest ranking GOP officeholders, found time in his schedule to help one of his old chum's kids.

Pat DeWine took office in January 2005, and within months was chasing after the Oh-02 House seat that White House Budget Director Rob Portman vacated to join the Bush Administration. DeWine finished down the list in the special GOP primary, a race won by U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt, who went on to narowly defeat two Democrats in back-to-back general elections.

DeWine used to be in a majority on the county commission, but his Republican pal Phil Heimlich was defeated last fall. Heimlich is a lawyer and has lately been visible doing local TV analysis of a murder trial in Clermont County, which coincidentally happens to be Schmidt's home. Heimlich reportedly is considering running against her in the '08 primary.

But back to DeWine. Apparently, he now wants to stay on the commission. McConnell is a heavyweight and will help him raise a nice chunk of cash. Once upon a time, Hamilton County was a Republican bastion, but it has slowly been turning blue. No word yet on who the Democrats might run. DeWine is battening down for a serious challenge. McConnell's Senate Web site is HERE. DeWine's county portal is HERE ,
and if you CLICK THIS , a copy of his Jan. 3, 2005 inauguration speech pops up. What's particularly notable is that DeWine said he was being sworn in to reform the county, a quest he quickly attempted to abandon. It's been said here and elsewhere DeWine may have his back against the wall -- and he might turn out to be a fierce campaigner. Obviously, he still has friends in high places.