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Home > Blogs > West Chester News and Issues > Archives > 2009 > August > 11 > Entry
Trustee takes stand in Dynus trial
Reporter Josh Sweigart reported today, Aug. 11, that West Chester Twp. Trustee George Lang took the stand in U.S. District Court in Cincinnati as a witness for the defense of former Dynus owner Orlando Carter.
The focus of his testimony was whether Lang gave a “kickback” to former Dynus President James Smith in a proposed deal with Butler County. Lang testified Tuesday he (or, more specifically, his company) received a $360,000 commission in the supposed deal with the county. He reportedly gave $100,000 of that back to Smith.
Excerpt: In earlier testimony, Smith referred to the payment he received as a “kickback,” because he was a Dynus employee getting paid by a contractor for the company.
But Lang said he was unaware Smith was a Dynus employee when he was working as a consultant for Lang. He even gave Smith tax forms accounting for the payments.
“Did you give Mr. Smith a kickback?” asked defense attorney Martin Pinales.
“No,” replied Lang.
“Was it under the table in any way?” Pinales asked.
“No it was not,” Lang said.
Lang said he would not have given Smith the money if he knew he was working for the county. But he said he did tell Carter about the payments.
Lang’s company later merged with Dynus Financial, where Lang served as president. As a company employee, he used the company’s suite on the 50-yard-line of Paul Brown Stadium and was reimbursed for meals at Jags, where he was part owner.
Lang said he had met Smith when his company, the Lang Agency, was trying to get a employee benefits contract with Reynolds and Reynolds, where Smith worked. When Smith came to him with the Dynus proposal, Lang said, he was excited about it.
More A previous post detailed earlier testimony regarding Lang’s commission and a deal Dynus had allegedly worked out with West Chester Twp.
That $2.4 million agreement never came to fruition (and thus no local tax dollars were ever spent) after it was determined that Smith forged the signature of former West Chester Administrator Dave Gully.
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By exposed
August 11, 2009 1:44 PM | Link to this
At least Scott Owens had the sense to drop off the radar with the GOP last year. George needs to drop off as a WC trustee, and the GOP needs to have nothing to do with either one of them, especially since these two are currently working to get 2 of their special (Rino/dem) candidates elected as trustees this November. Whichever ones they support, please avoid.