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Michael D. Pitman reports about Butler County, Ohio, politics, county government, countywide issues and Butler County people just like you for Cox Ohio Publishing (including the Hamilton JournalNews, Middletown Journal and several weekly papers in Butler County). He wants your suggestions and questions for more news stories. Leave a comment for him here or e-mail Michael at Home > Blogs > Butler County News and Issues > Archives > 2009 > August > 04 > Entry
Former GOP director testifies in Carter trial
Former Butler County GOP executive director Scott Owens testified this afternoon that Dynus Corp. paid him $100,000 to peddle influence with county officials.
Owens was a paid lobbyist working through the Lang Agency, which is owned by West Chester Twp. Trustee George Lang, Owens said. He said it was part of more than $300,000 Lang’s company was paid to help secure the company contracts with the county.
For his part, Owens said he introduced company officials to former county commissioner Michael Fox, former auditor Kay Rogers, current Commissioner Gregory Jolivette and Prosecutor Robin Piper.
“Were these people you were hired to make political connections with?” asked Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Chema.
“Yes,” replied Owens.
The deal that emerged after these meetings led to Rogers resigning after pleading guilty to bank fraud for her part in Dynus securing a multi-million dollar loan in the county’s name without county approval.
Owens’ testimony came in the federal trial of former Dynus owner Orlando Carter today, Aug. 4.
Carter is fighting an 11-count indictment, including charges of bank fraud and forgery. Carter is alleged to have misrepresented his income to secure a $1.2 million home and misled banks about business deals with Butler County. He’s also accused of lying on a bankruptcy petition.
After making introductions, Owens said he left his work with the Lang Agency and was hired directly by Dynus for a salary of roughly $60,000, plus commission.
One of his key responsibilities there was getting Piper — who he had a close relationship with, having worked on his campaign — to sign an opinion of counsel letter confirming that the county had the loan.
But Piper wouldn’t sign, and Owens didn’t push it. Carter yelled so loud when he learned this that the person in the next cubicle could hear him, Owens said.
“He was upset and said it’s unacceptable, that it has to be signed,” Owens said.
“I can’t make something happen that’s not going to happen,” Owens said. “And I’m not going to break the law.”
Permalink | Comments (15) | Post your comment | Categories: Dynus
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By wilbur
August 4, 2009 5:09 PM | Link to this
…and the noose continues to tighten. If not the neck, then certain sphincters are pretty tight right now, too…
By jack
August 4, 2009 5:55 PM | Link to this
We see the real inner workings of the Butler County government at work. I think a special prosecutor should look into more dealings of this county and it’s “leaders”.
By smalldeal
August 4, 2009 9:28 PM | Link to this
Where was the state auditor’s office in this mess? By chance would the Audit Manager for the state, Debra Maloney, now work for Roger Reynolds? Was/is her husband, Sean, a member of the GOP Executive Committee? Who assigned her to do these “audits”? Dave, go speak to her.
By A Calll For More Investigations
August 4, 2009 11:06 PM | Link to this
I suggest the next office that should be investigated is County Auditor Roger Reynolds. One of his employees Joe Statzer, is a long time buddy of County Commissioner, Greg Jolivette. I have heard from a very reliable source (inside the Auditor’s office) that STATZER DOES NO COUNTY WORK, even though his salary is paid from our hard earned tax dollars. Yet County Auditor Reynolds allows Statzer to so nothing but political work on the County’s dime (usually with his office door closed) and recently has worked on nothing but Greg Jolivette’s spin story. Don’t think that is legal County Auditor Reynolds!
By no trust
August 4, 2009 11:09 PM | Link to this
John Boehner was sitting with George Lang and Scott Owens at a Lincoln Day fundraiser. Is Boehner next?
By Dan
August 4, 2009 11:37 PM | Link to this
To add to “no trust” commennts, Scott Owens testified in Federal Court that he took $100,000. of Dynus money to lobby elected officals in Butler County on behalf of Dynus. Well, guess what, Scott Owens has always been Boehner’s side kick. Boehner even got Owens a job in Washington so he could really collect BIG KICK BACKS (oops sorry) I mean consulting fees.
By JMB
August 5, 2009 12:16 AM | Link to this
Scott Owens is a political pimp who can never be trusted. George Lang is a wanabee big fish without a pond to swim in. Both are corrupt and have always followed the easy money without regard for ethics or the law. So long boys and hopefully enjoy your jail time. You will not be missed. Lang for once needs to do the right thing and step down now as Trustee and let an honest person take his place.
By Gary
August 5, 2009 8:45 AM | Link to this
Has anyone looked to see if LNE Group has any contracts or done work for the county commissioners? What did that work and expense produce for the county? You can bet old Scott the Republican Power Broker talked his buddy Don Dixon out of some of our tax dollars.
By Rick
August 5, 2009 8:54 AM | Link to this
The big unanswered question is where Jolivette is in all this. Owens has now testified he hooked old Jolly up with the Dunus officials, and as I recall Jolly was a little hesitant to join with Furmon in asking for any investigation into the issue when it first came to light. Jolly, is there something else you’re forgetting to tell us?
By Lewis
August 8, 2009 10:41 AM | Link to this
Boys, the GOP is falling apart. What will this county do? I’d love to see Jolly, Owens, Lang, Furmon, and the rest of these crooks working the chain gang along the Michael Fox highway. Oh, I almost forget about Fox. Working prisoner detail along his own highway. Now that’s some funny stuff.
By wendy
October 3, 2010 8:56 AM | Link to this
Funny how this is not going to be settled until after the election and two of the major parties were at Boehner’s table at the Lincoln Dinner. Follow the money in Butler Party and look at the real ethics here. Why isn’t any reporter doing that story?
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