OHD-18: Dovilla Renews Call for Patten to Divest His Campaign of Tainted Money

Release:

Berea, OH—Democrat State Rep. Matt Patten has accepted campaign contributions from several Cuyahoga County officials who are under Federal investigation, stated Mike Dovilla, Republican candidate for the 18th Ohio House District. Specifically, Dovilla called upon Patten to relinquish these campaign contributions to charity.


“Cuyahoga County has fallen victim to rampant corruption and dishonest politics for far too long,” Dovilla said. “I again encourage Rep. Patten to reinvest this dirty money into charitable organizations that will benefit our community.”

Frank Russo, who was a financial contributor to Patten’s campaign, recently resigned from his position as Cuyahoga County Auditor and is expected to plead guilty bribery and obstruction charges. In 2008, Friends of Frank Russo donated $350 to Patten’s campaign.

Additionally, Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora, who is currently under investigation for his role in a number of corruption violations, donated $200 to Patten in 2008. Patten also accepted $100 from former sheriff Gerald McFaul, who plead guilty in June to two theft in office charges and a misdemeanor ethics violation.

“As my team and I have knocked on nearly 10,000 doors around our district, a common concern expressed by residents is the widespread corruption we are all witnessing in Cuyahoga County government, which has been dominated by one party for many years. Citizens are tired of dirty politics from ‘name-game’ politicians, who put their own self-interests before those of the people they are elected to serve. It is time for a fresh start.”