Tom Noe

Tom Noe was sentenced to 18 years in prison and fined $139,000 by a Toledo, Ohio court.

Never mind that prosecutors calculated that Noe stole $13.7 million in all.

Just pay back $139,000 and we're all good.

That's not good enough.

But there is some great news for Ohio's Bureau of Workers Compensation, according to the Associated Press, the state could recover up to $6 million more from its scandal-spawning investment in rare coins than the $50 million it put in, the broker overseeing its liquidation said Tuesday.

Tom Noe faces jail

Noe guilty of theft, faces jail
Tuesday, November 14, 2006

This fall, Noe became the flashpoint for Ohio political corruption, a discredited businessman whose face played a central role in dozens of Democratic television ads that ripped Republican candidates, including attorney general candidate Betty Montgomery, whom Noe called a political ally. Montgomery lost a close race to Dann, a Mahoning Valley Democrat.

Prosecutors said Noe siphoned $2.3 million from the BWC in rare coin investment funds. They said Noe used his political influence to obtain the investment funds, beginning with $25 million in 1998, followed by another $25 million in 2001.


I first wrote about Tom Noe in this blog in July of 2005, Notice to entrepreneurs. It was my second posting. I could not believe how flimsy the whole system was. I was outraged that this guy was not only buying State of Ohio Officials, he was also buying into Washington also.

Ten years! He ripped off the Bureau of Worker's Compensation for millions. Aren't drug dealers sentenced more harshly? Aren't there supposed to be checks and balances? Was Tom Noe so successful with the first $25 Million, that the state had no problem giving him the second $25 Million to invest? They did check that, right.

I bet the person in charge of Ohio's BWC hasn't been in the position for longer than 2 years.

I would bet you could quiet certain rooms in Columbus and D.C. by just saying coin and investment in the same sentence.

I will be GLAD to let you know how the sentencing turns out. Maybe we will compare it to some other sentences, just for giggles.

peace.

Grasping at Straws

Fickle, fickle is the American voter.

At least that is what the Republican party would have everyone believe.

But maybe they are correct.

Perhaps, in the light of John Kerry putting a large foot in his mouth, the voters will ignore corruption, sex scandals, greed, ignorance, arrogance and general mayhem of the Republicans.

Maybe the Republicans can get the patriotism back to the feverish pitch when people honestly forgot what freedom of speech was all about.

Maybe they can rile all of the people who have soldiers in Iraq fighting because we were told there were WMDs being manufactured there.

What?

Oh, those people aren't all happy with the price the soldiers are paying.

And, those people know that to speak out against the war is not the same as not supporting the soldiers.

We are tired of all the smoke screens.
Lie about WMDs and start war to get Saddam.
Wave flags and make a vow of radical patriotism in the face of war criticism.
Quietly let go of retired war hero General who sold nation on war.
Leak the identity of CIA Agent wife of outspoken war critic.
When the public becomes impatient with the lack of progress and the rising casualties, have the Vice President start shooting people.
Lie, cheat, and steal when ever you want.
Create an environment of hate by accusing homosexuals of destroying traditional family values.
Use those traditional values to preach hate towards illegal aliens.

Sure, one very ill-advised comment by John Kerry will make everything all better for the Republicans on tuesday. (Say this softly and in a calm reassuring tone, as if putting a baby to sleep)

There, there, now. Just rest your head.

It'll all be over in a little while.

Traditional Values

Let's all say it...I have a problem with alcohol, and I am checking into rehab.....
Now, look around with a pitiful, woeful expression, while praying that the people are buying into your wag the dog campaign.

This is the latest page from the spin doctor playbook. Mel Gibson used it to cover up his anti-semitism. So, why shouldn't Republicans give it the good old boy try.

So, 'traditional values' is what the G.O.P. touts these days. Isn't that the reason they have the deep pockets of the Religious Right and Evangelical Christians at their disposal. I guess accountability, honesty, and integrity weren't qualities that Mark Foley or Dennis Hastert learned at home.

I almost don't know where to start.

Mark Foley.

If Mark Foley had only chose to taken a chance on the wag the dog campaign, then maybe I would not find him a complete waste. He did not only try smoke and mirrors. This 52 year old man has decided to throw everything and hope something sticks.

This poor guy; he was sexually abused by a clergyman as a young teen, he's just been outed, and he's an alcoholic. But, wait a minute, Mark Foley wasn't just outed. There have been strong rumors about his sexuality from as early as 1996. He always declined comment and even called questions about his sexuality "revolting and unforgivable".

See, the issues are not about adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse (while alcoholism is a common problem among survivors).

You know, my grandmother always said "A drunk speaks a sober mind."

So, drunk or not, Mark Foley was not acting out of character.

The issue is not his sexuality. Gay is not synonymous with predator, or sexual harasser, or anything else.

As an aside, did you know that another word for harass is molest.

A person who refuses to respect himself and others is simply that. This is not typical of all or even most, homosexuals. I would dare say that the odds of a homosexual being predatory is the same as a heterosexual.

Mark Foley earns a salary of $165,200. One hundred sixty five thousand, two hundred dollars. I think he could afford a little psychotherapy to help him with issues of sexual abuse, as well as the alcoholism.

But, excuse me, how is it that this made him carry on like this with a 17-18 year old, while he was supposed to be working FOR THE PEOPLE. Well, I'm sure he's saved a few dollars here and there, so that trip to rehab shouldn't hurt him too much. I sure hope his medical coverage ends at the time of resignation, I would sure hate to foot the bill for all of the help he needs.

So now, the issue is about maintaining a position of power. The Speaker of the House, J. Dennis Hastert has alleged that he did not know what happened, even though there seem to always be at least 10 people who have first hand knowledge of everything that happens in Washington. Surely Hastert knew his chief of staff had confronted Foley. Certainly, he knew. He knew early on. But, no one cared about the well-being of the Pages. Clearly, they are not a real concern still, they are being safeguarded after the fact (translation: lip service). What is important is maintaining a political stronghold.

Just when you think that the issue is as clear as day, here come the Republicans. There is a certain genius in being able to think outside the box. The problem comes when you assume no one else can.

Now, according to the conservative groups, the problem is the "gay agenda". It's not a matter of personal accountability, arrogance, lack of boundaries, or addictions. No.

Nor is it a matter of sexual harassment. No, there is no personal ownership here.

The issue is not that the Hastert knew for a long time that Foley used the Pages as grounds for trolling. That is not important.

What matters is the "gay agenda." The republicans are saying that they were a bit squeamish about dealing with the "gay issue", why?

They weren't squeamish when the identity of a CIA Agent was leaked.

They weren't squeamish about trying to keep quiet about the Vice-President shooting someone on a hunting trip.

The Republicans are only squeamish when it advances their position.

No one was squeamish about discussing a dress with semen on it, when they were talking about a Democratic President. There was no sensitivity at all, whether the discussion was cigars or oral sex. But, no one could address a man sending dirty messages to teenagers?

That is implausible.

That is revolting and unforgivable.

This leads me back to the 'traditional values'. This is the point where the truth comes out. The values they mean are power and profit at any cost. No matter how ridiculous the circus seems, it's still a business. All of the smoke, mirrors and pratfalls under the big top keep the money rolling in.

See, as long as we are talking about ill-fated hunting trips, CIA leaks, and lascivious e-mail, we are not talking about impeachment for a Presidential regime that lied to a nation and started a war with the wrong people and are killing young men and women to continue it. We are not talking about a Vice-President who put a CIA agent's life at risk by deciding that he could change the constitution and unilaterally deciding that he could decide what information to declassify and when.

We are not talking about anything but the show that is being staged, for entertainment purposes only.

Because, the government has figured that We, the people could not possibly keep up. We, the people are not smart enough to see the truth.

Peace.

Notice to entrepreneurs

NOTICE to all entrepreneurs: The State of Ohio Bureau of Worker's Compensation is interested in ways to invest money. Before you become disheartened, I have excellent news; you don't need to know about return on investment, stocks, bonds, or mutual funds. All you need is tenacity, creativity, and a plan.

Get the word out! Tell your cousins, friends, and especially that uncle who always has a sure-fire money-making plan. Ohio's BWC is looking for those ideas. See, over the past few years there has been more than $330 Million lost in this fund. The latest money squandering endeavor was an investment in rare coins. Toledo business owner and campaign contributor Tom Noe was able to get his bid in (well before the bidding was open) and was able to set up two funds for the Bureau. I always thought coins were a hobby, like a stamp collection. See, I had it all wrong, and I bet you did too. This is why I'm getting the word out.

I would bet you could walk around and really get some good ideas. How about an inner city jitney, or cab service, granny's crocheted afghans, and get little Lisa to gather all of her plastic beaded necklaces. Now, don't get too fancy because this is Ohio, and our government is not a great supporter of the Arts, but if you tout it as an investment then maybe they'll bite.

Now, just so you know, the playing field may not be level here, unless you happen to be a prodigious campaign-contributor and golf buddy to all of the right people. Tom Noe has been so busy that he's already given over $17,000 to the campaigns of 3 candidates for governor. And in Governor Bob Taft's defense, he gave back $22,190 stating that Noe "has done a great disservice to the people of Ohio by mismanaging our public resources and abusing our trust." Bush returned $4,000. Five GOP justices on the Ohio Supreme Court said they, too, will identify and set aside campaign contributions from Noe. Noe also gave $10,000 to California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. But he is keeping the money.
But, I don't want to be greedy. Noe was given $55 Million to invest, $10 Million of which is missing--and I think my data is a little behind the curve, so he's getting the benefit of the doubt. I mean if the State can withstand an 18% loss, then by all means, let us all have a shot. I bet the average person would do better than that. I mean honestly, I could invest BWC's money with my Deferred Compensation money because honestly, I have had only one negative quarter in the past five years. I think that's pretty impressive, and all this time I though I knew nothing about big business. See, there are opportunities everywhere. You just have to know where to look.

Peace.