Reprimand For Campaign Violation

The web page of the Ohio Supreme Court summarizes a disciplinary sanction for campaign violations

The Supreme Court of Ohio today  publicly reprimanded a former candidate for Athens County prosecuting attorney  for violating a professional conduct rule related to her misdemeanor conviction  for breaking Ohio financial disclosure laws.

In a unanimous decision, the  court adopted an agreement between the state’s Disciplinary Counsel and Susan L.  Gwinn of Athens.

In the agreement, Gwinn  acknowledged that during her campaign for office she improperly reported that she had loaned money to her campaign committee  when she had actually received the loans from her brother and another individual.  She was convicted on two misdemeanor charges for claiming on her campaign  finance report that the funds were loans from herself.

The  parties agreed that there were no aggravating factors and that Gwinn had no  prior disciplinary record, was cooperative in the criminal case and  disciplinary investigation, and showed evidence of good character and  reputation. The agreement noted that she has also taken good-faith steps to  address the consequences of her misconduct. Specifically, she has paid her  friend back in full and signed a note to her brother with provisions to repay  him.

The opinion in linked here. The aboce summary was prepared by Katherine Maloney. (Mike Frisch)