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Ohio Sec. of State LaRose concedes he politicked out of building where he moved his state office
After months of silence, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose this week conceded that he’s engaged in campaign activity in the same building where he just finished moving his state agency — one that is in charge of conducting Ohio elections. But he hasn’t given any further details, nor did he explain why Ohioans should […]
Still more Ohio CVS pharmacies accused of staffing-related problems
In hearings into conditions at one of its Ohio stores, lawyers for pharmacy giant CVS last month told regulators that problems were due to understaffing and extra tasks imposed by the coronavirus pandemic. But the Ohio Board of Pharmacy continues to find such problems — which could threaten patient safety — at CVS stores across […]
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted subpoenaed in civil suit over bailout scandal
Plaintiffs in a civil suit related to a massive bribery and money-laundering scandal have subpoenaed documents from Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and they’re scheduling a sworn deposition with Lt. Gov. Jon Husted. There have been four criminal convictions so far in the scandal and U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker has said the investigation is continuing. […]
Ohio Catholic bishops spent big on failed effort to defeat abortion-rights amendment
Ohio’s Catholic bishops spent $1.7 million in an attempt to defeat an abortion-rights measure that passed easily on Nov. 7, according to an analysis by a group of Catholics that urges the church to change its stance on the issue. The expenditure mostly comes from donations by a laity most of whom disagree with the […]
More signs that criminal investigation into Ohio utility bailout continues
Five have been charged and four have been convicted in a massive bribery and money-laundering scandal, but there were more signs this week that the federal criminal investigation is continuing. In court documents filed in a separate case on Monday, a special master said that a major player in the conspiracy — Akron-based FirstEnergy — […]
Director of Ohio teachers pension fund placed on leave
Bill Neville, executive director of the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio, has been placed on leave while special counsel hired by the Ohio Attorney General’s office investigates allegations made against him by system employees. The complaints, first reported by NBC4, appear to be separate from other controversies over the fund’s performance and investment strategies. […]
OH AG forces Dollar General to pay up — by supporting food banks
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost on Thursday announced that Dollar General would pay $750,000 to Ohio’s food banks. It was part of $1 million the chain — which typically locates itself in underserved neighborhoods — is paying to settle allegations that it ripped off customers by posting one price on store shelves and then charging […]
Pharmacy middleman grants huge bonuses for winning business meant to help the poor
Medicaid might be a taxpayer-funded health program for the poor, but that doesn’t mean others aren’t getting rich off of it — including employees of a company the state is suing on antitrust grounds. Several employees of drug middleman Express Scripts last year raked in bonuses of $750,000 each for getting the business of a […]
Another judge hammers former Ohio utility regulator Randazzo in FirstEnergy case
Sam Randazzo, Gov. Mike DeWine’s first pick to chair the state’s utility regulator, isn’t even a party to a civil suit over a massive bribery scheme. Even so, judges keep admonishing Randazzo over what they say is his lack of cooperation. A group of pension funds and other big investors are suing Akron-based FirstEnergy over […]
Solutions proposed to reduce executive self-dealing
A progressive group that has long examined the ways that top executives scheme to pay themselves lavishly while keeping down employee pay last week proposed a number of steps to rein in the problem. The Washington D.C.-based Institute for Policy Studies and the Congressional Progressive Caucus Center issued the report. It points out that last […]
Ohio pharmacy board members seem skeptical of CVS claims
A disciplinary hearing related to understaffing at some CVS pharmacies in Ohio didn’t come to a conclusion Wednesday. But members of the Ohio Board of Pharmacy seemed skeptical of some of claims attorneys for the corporation were making. The hearing, which began on Tuesday, was specifically about problems Board of Pharmacy inspectors found at a […]
CVS disciplinary hearing before Ohio Board of Pharmacy begins
Things grew so bad at one severely understaffed CVS store in 2021 that a technician was accosted by irate customers in the parking lot after she helped close up. The Canton, Ohio store was overwhelmed as its limited workforce tried to give COVID tests, COVID and flu shots and dispense medicine. Just a few years […]