Deters Steps Aside from Voter Registration Fraud Probe
Judge appoints special prosecutor to avoid political allegations.
Monday, October 20, 2008
(Cincinnati) -- On Friday, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters issued a subpeona for records related to some of the voters who registered and cast their ballots on the same day during early voting. Deters said he had "numerous credible complaints" of irregularlities. But the Hamilton County Election Board and Ohio Secretary of State's office said they had no record of complaints.
But in an interview with 700WLW's Bill Cunningham, Deters said his staff reviewed 610 ballots cast, and found 266 with problems. He says 166 "voters" apparently don't exist. Another 100 had the wrong address listed on their voter registration card.
But Ohio Democrats are calling the investigation a "political witch hunt". Deters also serves as John McCain's southwest Ohio campaign chairman.
Monday, Deters asked Common Pleas Court Judge Norbert Nadel to appoint a special prosecutor. Nadel named former assistant prosecutor Mike O'Neill to the task.
O'Neill used to work for Deters, but was first hired by Mike Allen.
He says he will go to work immediately on the investigation. There are two weeks before the election, and it's not clear if O'Neill will have a report before then.
Governor Strickland is accusing Ohio Republicans of trying to scare newly registered voters by filing lawsuits on whether they're eligible.
At a news conference today, the Democratic governor also said the GOP is trying to distract voters from real issues.
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