Athens County Democratic Party Chair Susan Gwinn is facing two charges of election-related bribery. The charges stem from her alleged involvement in a plan to pay students at Ohio University $5 for every voter they brought out in November’s election.
It all began with an e-mail sent out by the Vice President of Ohio University’s College Democrats that encouraged fellow members to “march to the polls.” The e-mail not only encouraged voting but promised that if they brought a “friend from 4th ward they are more than a friend, they’re 5 bucks!” The fourth ward was the only contested Athens City Council race between Republican Randy Morris and Democrat Christine Fahl.
According to special prosecutor Dave Yost the OU College Democrats will not face any charges at this time. Yost is the special prosecutor in charge of the case and says the group has been cooperating with the investigation.
While no criminal charges are being filed against the student group Ohio University Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and
Dean of Students Ryan Lombardi said the incident is currently being reviewed by the University through the judicial process. Members of the student organization will have an opportunity to share their story with a hearing board before a sanction is issued. “Sanctions for organizations who violate either the code of conduct or the state law range from reprimand to removal from the university,” Lombardi said. Due to winter intercession at the University the judicial process will not continue until after the new year.
OU College Democrats have denied from the beginning that any payments were ever distributed to voters or members. “No member of our organization has ever paid a voter to vote. No member has ever accepted money for his or her own vote,” Communications Director Chris Mullen said in a response.
Gwinn has declined to comment on the new charges she is facing citing a gag order. Gwinn is already facing charges of falsification, money laundering, theft in office, and unauthorized use of property for allegedly mishandling political campaign funds.
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