Vice Mayor Roxanne Qualls To Court Clerk Patricia Clancy: About That $1 Million You Owe Cincinnati, Check Please!

When Can City Expect Funds From Clerk?

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- With the city facing a $60 million hole in its budget -- and 144 Cincinnati police officers facing the loss of their jobs -- Cincinnati Vice Mayor Roxanne Qualls is pressing the county court clerk's office to deliver forfeited bail bond funds owed the city.  Hamilton County Clerk of Courts Patricia M. Clancy, a Republican, said last month that at least $960,000 is uncollected and due the city police department under court orders.  Qualls, a Democrat and Charter Committee member, wrote Clancy back five days ago seeking a timetable that will detail exactly when Clancy's office will start delivering the money.  Some of the uncollected bail bond forfeitures date back to the 1990s.  Qualls said "there is money owed to the City of Cincinnati" and every cent is needed -- especially with cops looking at layoffs.  Qualls emphasized the urgency of her request.  There are records showing the county clerk has failed to collect forfeited bonds for years.  The money -- which is owed by defendants and bondsmen hit with forfeitures when criminal suspects dodge a court date -- is earmarked for distribution to prosecutors and law enforcement agencies.  Here's an excerpt from Qualls letter to Clancy:

"Your letter states that the City would be entitled to receive a portion of the bond forfeitures collected based upon certified judgments from bail bondsmen and their insurance carriers of $960,000.   The letter also says that your office has been working with the Hamilton County Prosecutor's office to collect on the certified judgments against bail bondsmen and their insurance carriers, and that you expect a successful resolution in the near future.  Is the $960,000 amount the total amount, or are their other forfeitures that will be determined through an audit?  Has the city ever received any funds based on certified judgments in the past?

I am requesting documents of the $960,000 in certified judgments, as well as what portion of the amount is due the city at this time, the amount of the collections, and a time frame for the Cincinnati Police Department (CPD) to expect the funds that are due it. . . I am sure you understand the urgency of this request since City Council will be making decisions about potential cuts to our public safety personnel over the coming weeks."

Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune: 'Matters Very Much Amiss With Forfeited Bonds'

CINCINNATI (TDB) --  An e-mail from Todd Portune says the clerk's office appears to have stalled collections and and mishandled procedures for collecting millions of dollars in forfeited bail bonds.  Portune wants Sheriff Simon Leis's office to take an active role in efforts to find out what has gone wrong.  Portune said the bail bond scandal involves "potential violations of regulation, policy or law . . ." and had been the subject of a review by county officials in 2009.  The Daily Bellwether has a copy of the e-mail, which was sent to Republican Clerk of Courts Patricia M. Clancy, whose office is responsible for collecting and issuing bail bonds:

"Dear Patty:

Last September 2009 Kathy Binns and I met with you and John Williams to discuss several irregularities in connection with bail bondsmen and uncollected forfeited bonds in Hamilton County .  You recall we shared with you the results of an investigation we had conducted with the help of others.  In light of severe county budget concerns and also potential violations of regulation, policy or law, we wanted to make certain the matter was addressed.

You and John Williams assured us that the matter was being addressed and that your office was on top of the matter along with the Prosecutor’s office.  It has come to my attention that matters may still be very much amiss with forfeited bonds not collected along with certain other practices that are either wrong or unlawful being conducted.

I am writing to you for the purpose of asking that we meet to discuss these matters and the efforts to put an end to the practices; to pursue those who may be engaged in wrongful practices; and to collect all moneys due Hamilton County. In particular I would like to know what the prospects are of collecting on amounts due in time to utilize sums in connection with Hamilton County ’s 2011 budget or to disburse to such other parties or political jurisdictions that are entitled to receive a percentage share of the same.

Unlike our previous meeting I believe it will be important to also have the assistance of proper representatives from the Sheriff and Prosecutor’s office to discuss the status as well as the county’s options in this matter.

Thank you for your assistance in connection with this important issue.

Sincerely yours, "

Todd Portune

President of the Board

Hamilton County Commissioners

Hamilton County Clerk of Courts Patricia Clancy Confirms The Number: Bail Bondsmen Owe Cincinnati $1 Million In Forfeitures

Cincinnati Is Owed A Wad

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- The clerk's office reports the city's share of uncollected bail bond forfeitures is at least $960,000 -- and is likely to be substantially more.  That as-yet unknown sum reflects debts involving property bonds where no action has been taken to seize real estate.  All of the bonds were posted by accused criminals who did not want to sit in jail while awaiting court dates and trials.  Money from forfeited bonds is earmarked to combat drug crimes on Cincinnati's streets.  But the cops haven't been getting all the cash owed, apparently because of bottlenecks at clerk's office in the courthouse.  The bonds were forfeited because the suspects didn't keep their written guarantee to show up in front of a judge.  County officials are supposed to grab money and property posted as bonds, but have been slow to act -- some of the forfeitures date back to the mid-1990s.   Hamilton County Clerk of Courts Patricia M. Clancy -- whose office is responsible for bail bonds -- disclosed the sum owed to the City of Cincinnati.  Clancy was responding to Cincinnati Vice Mayor Roxanne Qualls, who last month said the money was needed to pay for police to fight street crime.  The city faces a $50 million budget deficit and may have to law off cops.  Clancy wrote Qualls yesterday:

"In response to your questions, the City would be entitled to receive a portion of the bond forfeitures collected based upon certified judgments from bail bondsmen and their insurance carriers of $960,000.  This amount represents the gross amount of the bonds, and does not reflect the possible reductions permitted under the statute.  The City's portion of the bond forfeitures against individuals (parents and family members who posted property) will be provided to you shortly.  The Clerk of Courts has placed liens on the individuals and the property posted,but has not taken any action to foreclose on real estate of the parents and family members to date."

Clancy said she's got lawyers on the job:  "Also, the Clerk of Courts has been working with the Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office to collect on the certified judgments against bail bondmen and their insurance carriers.  The Prosecutor's Office met with the Common Pleas and Municipal Judges on this issue and is working with the bondsmen and their insurance carriers to collect on the certified judgments.  We look forward to a successful resolution in the near future."

Any money collected on a bond forfeiture goes to the city if the city prosecuted the case through its law department.  If the County Prosecutor handles the criminal case -- a drug case, for example -- the money is split with 80% of the forfeited bond going to the Cincinnati police, and 20% to the prosecutor's office.  The Daily Bellwether has been reporting on the uncollected bail bonds since last month and you can read all the earlier posts by by clicking here. There are a lot of comments -- mostly anonymous -- that indicate there is a backstory that has yet to unfold publicly.

2008 GOP Ohio Senate Primary: Seitz vs. Clancy May Be Coming

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Tiny story in this morning's Enquirer with big political news that shows how term limits are changing politics. State Rep. Bill Seitz appears to be making plans to run for an Ohio Senate seat now held by Patty Clancy. Both are Republicans. But Seitz must find another job if he wants to stay in the Statehouse because he is term-limited out of office in 2008.

Clancy's 8th District seat covers a western chunk of Hamilton County, and she faces a run for re-election next year. She told the Enquirer she plans to stay in the Senate. Seitz indicates he intends to move up, and she is blocking his path. Collision ahead.

Seitz is a conservative and leader in the House. Outside Cincinnati, he may be best known as an advocate for opening the state to casino style gambling and slots.

The Enquirer squib is HERE. In a different era, Republicans didn't have primaries or try to chase each other out of office. But term limits have elected officials looking for new slots when they have to move on. State. Rep. Tom Brinkman is probably going to run for the OH-02 congressional seat now held by Rep. Jean Schmidt, which starts on the East Side of Cincy and head upstream on the Ohio River all the way to Portsmouth. Seitz is testing the water on the West Side. He is a PARTNER at Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, one of the largest law firms in Ohio, and would have no problem raising money for a race against Clancy.

Inquiring minds are wondering: Will Clancy be squeezed out before the primary to make room for Seitz? He's a political bigfoot, and she does not quite match his legislative reputation. Over the years, however, the GOP has been dogged by concerns it is too much an old boys club that has been slow to welcome women into the ranks. Clancy's gender could become an issue if the notion that that Republicans are less than enthusiastic about supporting women candidates is fanned. Clancy, whose father was a congressman, would benefit and might even have the skills to turn events to her advantage if she is forced to become aggressive. Still, Seitz would probably have more money to spend on a primary.