Two Pro Sports Stadiums For Sale In Cincinnati: If There's A Buyer, County Will Sell

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- A move to temporarily raise Hamilton County's sales tax died at today's commissioners' meeting. Officials then acknowledged they were open to selling Paul Brown Stadium, where the Bengals play, and Great American Ball Park, home of Cincinnati Reds. The county is facing a $27 million dollar deficit next year in the fund that is dedicated to paying off stadium construction costs. The deficit is estimated at $93 million by 2014. Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune, who proposed the sales tax hike, told The Daily Bellwether both sites on the Ohio River could be sold. The problem is finding a buyer.

"We'd consider it. We don't have a sign up. The problem is the same one we have. Anybody that looks at this steps into a sea of red ink," Portune said. He said outside investment groups were welcome to talk about a deal. He said they could come from China, Saudi Arabia or anywhere if they are interested in trying to make a deal. "If they bought them, they would basically inherit the same problems we have."

Portune said the slow economy and stadium funding issues are draining the county and deepening a serious financial crisis. He said Hamilton County has already cut 1,500 employees and $62 million in spending. "It is bad. The problems are real. The crisis is present," he said during a public hearing on the proposed sales tax hike. After the hearing, he said the county approached the Bengals and offered Paul Brown Stadium to the NFL team. The county's lease terms -- negotiated in the 1990s -- are so favorable to the pro football franchise that it wouldn't even negotiate. He said the Reds might be approachable, but didn't hold out much hope: "That all sounds good. It makes a nice soundbite. We know the teams aren't going to buy the stadiums. We've gone down that path. It takes a willing buyer."

The county does plan to seek another $7.55 million from the State of Ohio for stadium expenses. It contends Hamilton County was promised $81 million, or 15% of total construction costs for the pro sports facilities on the Ohio River. So far, lawmakers have delivered $73.45 million. A county memo to state officials points out the promise remains unfulfilled: "While we fully understand that the General Assembly that made the $81 million commitment was composed of legislators who are no longer in office, at the same time Hamilton County constructed a financing play on the basis of that commitment with a reasonable expectation that it would be fulfilled. We understand the state has financial problems of its own, and would appreciate any assistance the state may offer at this point."

Hamilton County's GOP Chief Goes On The Attack: Slams Democrat Todd Portune

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- GOP Chair Alex Triantafilou is defending a Republican judge who authorized a $1 million bond for a $27 theft offense, and says Democratic County Commissioner Todd Portune ought to keep his mouth shut. Portune suggested that bail bonds set by Cincinnati judges -- including the Dems on the bench -- should be monitored for abuses. Triantafilou says it is none of Portune's business. He's accused Portune, a lawyer by trade, of trying to make "pure political gain" from the incident. Imagine that. He also took a swipe at MSNBC's Keith Olbermann -- low viewership ratings or something.

The GOP chair contends the seven-figure bond was meant to keep a potentially suicidal suspect in jail. In other words, Triantafilou's spin is that it was all about well-intentioned judicial activism and a mission of mercy. Nothing mean spirited to it. Deputies and jail personnel could monitor the man, whose $1 million bond would keep him locked up and safe. Triantafilou, for some reason, doesn't mention that a healthcare or mental health facility might be a more appropriate setting than a jail. Reasonable people could probably debate the point: Are jails proper places for folks whose sensibilities are not seeming to function properly, who may be suffering a bout of illness?

The $1 million bond made news last month. Triantafilou, a former Hamilton County Common Pleas judge who quit to take over as party chair, accused Democrat Portune of mishandling campaigns seeking tax increases for a new jail in Cincinnati. He doesn't mention that his own GOP supported the tax increases and endorsed the jail expansion efforts:

"The Commissioners should focus on their own responsibilities, Twice in his tenure, Commissioner Portune has failed to convince the taxpayers to support a much needed new jails because his proposals have been bloated with large government programs that had little to do with more jail space. For pure political gain, Commissioner Portune reacted to the ridiculous reporting of guys like Keith Olberman (sic) to get his name in the paper."

Two points to take issue with: It is Olbermann with a double n. And the jail tax "bloated with large government programs" was backed by Triantafilou's own party, something that is made clear here. Portune and the Dems are not likely to lay down and take the attack.

Ohio Lawsuit Filed Over Chiquita Ties To Terror: Labor Union Says Shareholders Damaged

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- The 1.9-million member Service Employees International Union contends Chiquita Brands International Inc.'s board engaged in rogue activities when the Ohio-based multinational funded a right wing terrorist group in Colombia. Democratic Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune's private law firm represents the union, and Portune is signed on as a litigator in the case.

According to the union's civil lawsuit, Chiquita's top officials "instituted a corporate culture that encouraged unlawful and irresponsible activity." It names 11 current and former directors or executives as defendants, describes them as negligent in the management and administration of the affairs of the company, and seeks unspecified damages for breach of fiduciary duties.

Chiquita is based in Cincinnati. In March, the company agreed to a pay a $25 million fine after pleading guilty to federal charges that it made $1.7 million in payments to a violent paramilitary organization. The company said the money was to protect its employees and operations from extremists. The Justice Department brought the charges nine months ago, and said the payments took place from 1997 until early 2004.

SEIU said it owns shares in publicly traded Chiquita. It said the defendants had a duty to ensure that the company did not break any laws. The case is A 0711383 in Hamilton County's Court of Common Pleas.

Chiquita produces, distributes and market bananas and other produce in Europe and North America. It has about $4 billion in annual sales in some 70 countries. According to the lawsuit:

"The individual defendants, in light of their positions of control and authority as directors and/or officers of the Company, were able to and did, directly and indirectly exercise control over the criminal acts described herein. That conduct involves knowing, willful and repeated violations and obligations as officers and directors of Chiquita. Furthermore, Chiquita's Board effectively ratified the illegal conduct of Chiquita's officers, employees and . . . by failing to take any legal actions on behalf of the company against them . ."

Those named include:

Roderick Hills, who served on the board from 2002 until May 2007. He chaired the company's audit committee.

Fernando Aguirre, president and CEO since 2004.

Morten Arntzen, a director since 2002.

Steven P. Stanbrook, a director and audit committee member.

Robert W. Fisher, a director since 2002 and a one-time action COO.

Durk Jager, a board member since December 2002.

Jaime Serra, a director since 2003.

Clare Hasler, a board member since October 2005.

Jeffrey D. Benjamin, a director from March 2002 until his resignation in February 2007.

Cyrus F. Friedheim Jr., former CEO and chairman.

Robert Olson, who served as the company's general counsel.