Latest Coingate Scandal Stories

TEMECULA, Calif., Jan. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Rare coins, especially those in high-grade condition, performed well in 2011, according to various independent analysis by numismatic experts. "Blue chip" coins rose over ten percent in value last year, according to one tabulation, and the top 100 rare coins sold at public auctions last year brought over 27 percent more money than the top 100 a year earlier. "Rare coins are an enjoyable hobby and part of some people's long-term...

CHICAGO (Reuters) - A prominent Republican fund-raiser for President George W. Bush in Ohio has been charged with illegally funneling money to Bush's re-election campaign, a federal prosecutor said on Thursday. A federal grand jury in Toledo charged Thomas Noe with making illegal contributions in the names of others to the Bush campaign and with making false statements to the Federal Election Commission. The three counts lodged against Noe each carry a maximum sentence of five years...

By Jim Lekrone COLUMBUS, Ohio (Reuters) - Ohio Republican Gov. Bob Taft, the great-grandson of a U.S. president, on Thursday admitted violating ethics laws for not disclosing golf outings and other gifts and was fined $4,000, but avoided jail time. "I accept full responsibility for this mistake. I am very sorry," Taft said in a statement in Franklin County Municipal Court after pleading no contest to four criminal misdemeanor ethics violations. That plea allowed Judge Mark Froehlich to...

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Reuters) - Ohio Republican Gov. Bob Taft, the great-grandson of a U.S. president, was found guilty on Thursday of violating ethics laws for not disclosing free golf outings and other gifts and was fined $4,000 but avoided jail time. "I accept full responsibility for this mistake. I am very sorry. I am very sorry, thank you for the opportunity," Taft said in a brief statement in Franklin County Municipal Court after pleading no contest to four criminal misdemeanor...

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Reuters) - Prosecutors in Ohio charged Gov. Bob Taft on Wednesday with four criminal misdemeanor counts alleging violations of state ethics laws for not reporting golf games and other outings paid for by others. The charges marked the first time an Ohio governor has been charged with a crime while in office. A Taft spokesman said the governor would not resign and would have a statement on Thursday. The charges against the Republican governor also marked another step in...

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Reuters) - Ohio Gov. Bob Taft's former chief of staff was found guilty on Friday of violating ethics laws by not disclosing gifts from a Republican fund-raiser embroiled in "Coingate," a scandal over a missing $13 million in state funds. Brian Hicks, 40, who became a lobbyist when he left government two years ago, pleaded no contest and was fined $1,000 for the misdemeanor ethics violation by Franklin County Municipal Court Judge Scott VanDerKarr. Hicks, who could have faced...