The Dispatch Hides Bad News About Columbus Mayor Mike Coleman
Update @ 10:53PM- Patrick Poole over at the American Thinker Blog comments on this story here.
Recently, I reported that The Columbus Dispatch’s management put the breaks on an article, which was scheduled for publication and was damaging to Mike Coleman’s campaign.
The article was written by Dispatch reporter Jodi Andes, and I have confirmed that she called the Bill Todd campaign for a quote for the story. She also provided a brief summary of what the article was about. I couldn’t find specific details, and no one at The Dispatch would talk to me, but this article was about the Mayor’s questionable campaign expenditures.
In addition, The Dispatch allegedly is sitting on another story about Coleman and his various “misdeeds” which, rumor has it, won’t be printed until after the election… if at all. This part of the rumor stinks the most, because they supposedly had this type of dirt on Coleman during the 2006 elections. The Dispatch wouldn’t run it, but apparently they almost had to change their mind because the Toledo Blade was supposedly going to run the story… since the powers that be at the Blade supposedly wanted to clear the field for Ted Strickland in the Democrat primary.
If true, why wouldn’t The Dispatch run this story in 2006, and why did they stop Jodi Andes’ article? Who knows!? But I have a gut feeling that it all has to do with Mike Coleman’s close relationship with John F. Wolfe, publisher of The Dispatch.
John Wolfe rarely donates to politicians, but he and his family has donated to Mike Coleman:
John F Wolfe - 7/12/2007 - $500.00
Ann Islay Wolfe - 7/12/2007 - $500.00
Rita Wolfe - 7/27/2007 - $2,000.00
John F. Wolfe - 1/09/2006 - $5,000.00
It is commonly understood that The Dispatch, just like most of the dinosaur print media, is losing money. However, Wolfe Enterprises Inc. also is a local investor in Skybus airlines, the new Columbus Clippers baseball stadium, and Nationwide arena. Wolfe Enterprises is also a principal minority owner in the Columbus Blue Jackets hockey team.
And guess what? Wolfe’s friend, Mike Coleman, in his official capacity as Mayor of Columbus and while on City Council, has gone out of his way to help Wolfe’s interests. And, as you can see, it helps to know Mike!…
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Skybus Airlines
Nationwide Mutual Capital of Columbus controls 5 percent. Smaller local investors include Battelle, Huntington Capital Investment Co. and Wolfe Enterprises Inc., a subsidiary of The Dispatch Printing Company.
The city of Columbus, has offered incentives to Skybus totaling more than $14 million, which were proposed to city council by Mayor Mike Coleman. And the airline also was able to take advantage of $11 million of improvements to their gates in Concourse B.
Under Mike Coleman’s plan, Skybus also received payroll and investment incentives:
* 50% of the personal income tax withheld for 7 years, at a total cost of $2,098,640
* Enterprise Zone Abatement on real and personal property improvements, 75% for 10 years at a cost of $4,505,444
* Business Development Fund Loan, $200,000
*Working Capital Fund Loan, $250,000
* Columbus Franklin County Finance Authority Financing $1,000,000
* HUD 108 Loan $1,000,000
Total Value of City Incentives given to Skybus = $14,069,596
Columbus Clippers’ New Baseball Stadium
The major sponsorships of the new stadium include: $9.3 million from The City of Columbus (infrastructure investment), and $6 million from the Columbus Dispatch (scoreboard naming rights).
Nationwide Arena
The Dispatch Printing Company owns 10% of Nationwide Arena (Nationwide Insurance Enterprise owns the rest.) And the city of Columbus was willing to provide road improvements, such as the extension of Nationwide Blvd. to Neil Ave., while improving the sewer system and other parts of the infrastructure. In addition, the arena site was reportedly exempted from real estate taxes.
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So, what was The Dispatch’s article about? Who knows, but it apparently wasn’t good for John Wolfe’s friend, Mayor Coleman. Sadly, only a few people… such as Dispatch reporters… could connect the dots. Mayor Coleman has campaign expenses which seem very personal (which I bet he didn’t pay taxes on), and are spent all over the country and the world. Here are portions of 2 of his recent expenditure reports, all of which are public records:
2006 Campaign Expenditure Report
TRAVEL:
* Delta $780 2/21/06 - Atlanta
* Delta $780 2/21/06 - Atlanta
* Lufthausa Ticket Office $772.20 2/28/06
* Rail Europe $159.75 3/20/06 Travel
* Hasir Restaurant (Berlin, Germany) $6.13 4/3/06 Meal Expense
* Hasir Restaurant (Berlin, Germany) $62.77 4/3/06 Meeting Expenses
* Marriot (Memphis, TN) $61.13 5/01/06 Lodging
* The Peabody (Memphis, TN) $56.93 5/1/06 Lodging
* Marriot (Memphis, TN) $300.60 5/5/06 lodging
* Bally’s Paris (Las Vegas) $114.45 5/08/06 Travel
* Mandalay Bay (Las Vegas) $260.51 5/11/06 Lodging
* Southwest Airlines (Dallas, TX) $278.60 5/15/06 Travel
* Southwest Airlines (Dallas, TX) $339.60 5/15/06 Travel
* Hotel Burnham (Chicago) $218.11 5/16/06 Lodging
* Marriott (Washington DC) $39.00 5/18/06 Lodging
* Don Alejandros Tex (Las Vegas) $14.91 6/05/06 Travel
* Mandalay Bay Resort (Las Vegas) $292.12 5/25/06 Lodging
* Paris Boulangerie (Las Vegas) $15.62 6/6/06 Travel
* Continental $457.70 6/7/06 Travel
* Continental $457.70 6/07/06 Travel
* Southwest Airlines (Dallas TX) $188.80 6/07/06 Travel
* Cirque du Soleil (Las Vegas) $26.75 6/07/06 Travel
* Paris Boulangerie (Las Vegas) $12.66 6/07/06 Travel
* Paris La Café Du Parc (Las Vegas) $150.00 6/07/06 Travel
* Bally’s Paris (Las Vegas) $529.76 6/08/06 Travel
* Don Alejandros Tex (Las Vegas) $14.91 6/08/06 Travel
* Pampas Brazilian (Las Vegas) $39.21 6/08/06 Travel
* Borders Airport $18.32 6/09/06 Travel
* Tuscany Café (Chicago) $10.23 6/12/06 Meal Expense
* Marriott (Anaheim, CA) $30.90 6/12/06 Lodging
* Kings Fish House (Orange, CA) $54.45 6/12/06 Meal Expense
* Café TU TU Tango (Orange, CA) $38.24 6/13/06 Meal Expense
* Crowne Plaza (Akron) $125.13 7/17/06 LodgingSECURITY:
* Sonitral $421.66 5/3/06MEMBERSHIPS:
* Capitol Club $143.24 2/27/06 Dues
* Capitol Club $143.24 3/15/06 Dues
* Capitol Club $312.46 5/11/06 Dues
* Capitol Club $143.23 6/14/06 DuesREIMBURSEMENT:
* Mike Coleman $273.68 3/20/06 Meeting expense/travel
* Mike Coleman $975.17 6/09/06 Travel/Meal ExpenseTICKETS:
* The Ohio State University $2,490.00 3/20/06 Event Tickets
* Ohio State University Athletics $1,152 5/08/06 Seasonal TicketsDINING:
* Columbus Brewing Co $36.26 3/06/06 Meeting Expense
* Barley’s Smokehouse $24.27 3/16/06 Meal Expense
* El Vaquero $26.37 3/24/06 Meeting Expense
* Plank’s Café $17.25 3/24/06 Meeting Expense
* Knotty Pine Bar $49.20 4/10/06 Meeting Expense
* Columbus Brewing Co $26.24 4/11/06 Meeting expense
* Spagio $28.70 4/13/06 Meeting Expense
* Plank’s Café $17.89 4/17/06 Meeting Expense
* Don Pablos $48.35 5/5/06 Meeting Expense
* Spinelli’s Deli $113.58 5/05/06 Meeting Expense
* Hyde Park Prime Steak $120.35 5/09/06 Meeting Expense
* Spagio $41.76 5/30/06 Meal Expense
* Due Amici $27.92 6/01/06 Meal Expense
* Smith & Wolensky $278.09 6/02/06 Meeting Expense
* Spago $42.73 6/06/06 Meeting Expense
*Due Amici $23.72 6/12/06 Meal Expense
* Columbus Brewing Co. $31.05 6/29/06 Meeting Expense
* Brownstone on Main $25.24 7/03/06 Meeting Expense
* Smith & Wolensky $15.61 7/05/06 Meal Expense
* Abuelo $37.45 7/7/06 Meal expense
* Due Amici $73.69 7/12/06 Meeting Expense
* Due Amici $52.40 7/17/06 Meeting Expense
* Lindey’s $31.54 7/19/06 Meal Expense
And…
2007 Campaign Expenditure Report
DINING:
Indian Over 2/9.2007 $40.18 Meal Expense
Hyde Park 3/1/2007 $780.85 Meeting Expense
Hyde Park 3/2/2007 $21.89 Meal Expense
Hyde Park 3/2/2007 $171.10 Meeting Expense
The Florentine 3/9/2007 $29.28 Meal Expense
Doubletree Guest 3/12/2007 $25.24
Saigon Palace 3/12/2007 $26.65 Meal Expense
Linden Café 3/15/2007 $35.34 Meeting Expense
BOMA 3/26/2007 $134.95 Catering
Short North Tavern 3/26/2007 $200.00 Meeting Expense
Tyfoon 4/4/2007 $78.95
Brownstone 4/12/2007 $233.00 Meeting Expense
Rojo Tequilara 4/12/2007 $32.65 Meal Expense
Tony’s Italian Ristorante 4/16/2007 $56.29 Meal Expense
Brownstone 4/23/2007 $30.39 Meal Expense
BOMA 4/24/2007 $34.00 Catering
Tony’s Italian Ristorante 4/25/2007 $29.91 Meal Expense
Spice Bar 5/9/2007 $482.40 Event
The Tip Top 5/24/2007 $68.99
The Tip Top 6/15/2007 $44.54
Gordon Bierch 6/19/2007 $35.89 Meeting Expense
Flatiron Bar 6/21/2007 $38.00 Meal Expense
Spinelli’s Deli 6/22/2007 $177.80 Meeting Expense
The Tip Top 6/15/2007 $44.54
Gordon Bierch 6/19/2007 $35.89 Meeting Expense
Flatiron Bar 6/21/2007 $38.00 Meal Expense
Spinelli’s Deli 6/22/2007 $177.80 Meeting ExpenseTRAVEL:
Southwest Airlines (Dallas, Tx) 6/22/07 $186.80 Travel
Smart Cars (Chicago) 7/6/07 $90.56 Travel
Smart Cars (Chicago) 7/9/07 $83.76 TravelMEMBERSHIPS:
Capital Club 2/20/2007 $143.23 Dues
Capital Club 5/9/2007 $88.83 Dues
Lambda Boule 6/11/2007 $650.00 Dues
Capital Club 6/12/2007 $143.23 DuesTICKETS:
Friends of CRC 6/22/2007 $720.00 Event Tickets
Human Rights 5/9/2007 $1,750.00 Event TicketsMISC:
Renaissance Hotel (Atlanta) 2/13/2007 $1,285.67 Event Supplies
Coleman Associates 5/9/2007 $1,500.00 Catering (ATLANTA)
Bath & Body Works 4/13/2007 $42.70
Flower Galaxy 5/9/2007 $144.14 Flowers
So why was campaign funds spent outside of the country? Why was Mayor Mike Coleman in Las Vegas, and who was he with? It appears that the Dispatch knows, and they allegedly know that it could possibly damage his campaign… And it also appears that John Wolfe allegedly saved his friend. Will The Other Paper, The Blade, The Plain Dealer, or someone else be able to connect the dots? Who knows, but I’ve learned not to count on liberal reporters for anything.
In addition, Mike Coleman has some very interesting people working for him. For example, Coleman’s Executive Assistant, Greg Winbush, is a convict who did prison time. Why does the mayor have an executive assistant (a top level staffer) who has a criminal record?
Also, who is Yanet Santana? She was hired in June of 2007 in a newly created position (How did she know to interview for the position if it was allegedly created for her and what is her background?) in the Department of Finance to work directly for Joel Taylor, the Finance and Management Director. She earns $17/hour, and Francisco Santana, is in federal prison and is allegedly a “friend” of Mayor Coleman. This is clearly a questionable patronage job….. or possibly something else!
Also, who is Nikki Jenkins? I probably can’t go further in my questioning about Nikki without being sued. (I don’t know what to make of them, but check out Nikki’s book excerpts here.)
The Dispatch is committing a huge public disservice by allegedly sitting on important stories that Columbus voters deserve to know about. The media is supposedly entrusted by the public to keep an eye on public corruption and government doing, but it appears that The Dispatch will gladly put personal finances and friendships over exposing the truth.
I’ll report more on the story when I can confirm more facts. But we know for certain that The Dispatch killed at least 1 major story about Mike Coleman that they should have published. It is time to demand answers from The Dispatch.
Don’t forget that Bill Todd is a long-time Coleman campaign contributor:
11/1/97 — $350 (Council)
7/26/02 — $100 (Mayor)
10/30/03 — $250 (Mayor)
1/28/05 — $250 (Mayor)
That is fair… However, he is a lawyer and for lawyers and firms to donate to Mayors is common place.
But regardless, The Dispatch was FEARLESS when reporting it. HAHA
http://blog.dispatch.com/dailybriefing/2007/10/with_enemies_like_these_who_ne.shtml
I guess Todd would have needed to own a chunk of the Columbus Clippers and be closer to Mr. Wolfe for this news issue to be suppressed.
Gosh, when I think back to all the mountains out of molehills the Dispatch has made out of stories for Republicans which were a 1/5th as bad this Coleman story. There is clearly a double standard.
Enjoy your ghetto Coleman tshirt, you goof.
What are you talking about? That T-Shirt is awesome, no matter which way you look at it!
This is a powerful post Matt, and one that took guts to do. For years now, the streets have been buzzing regarding alleging gross misdeeds on the part of Mayor Michael Coleman. My being a super political and community activist in Central Ohio for decades I’m going to publicly jump in this issue when the smart thing for me to do is to sit it out. But, if I sit it out the courage that Matt has demonstrated in his post would go unappreciated to say the least.
I know Michael Coleman personally and I use to be a very close personal friend of his wife Frankie Coleman before Mike became a member of Columbus City Council. It was because of my friendship with Frankie that as an activist, I supported Michael being appointed to Council. I did not know Mike at the time but, besides the personal friendship of Frankie Coleman, it was the right thing to do. The alternative was former City Councilmen Tom Kaplin. Kaplin was just defeated in the election and to reappoint him to Council over Coleman would have been wrong. Unfortunately for this community, the stronger Mike became politically the weaker Frankie Coleman became because she was Mike’s wife. After Mike got appointed to Council we rarely ever communicated except for by-chance encounters.
In time I came to know Mike as a person. As a person, Mike can be a pretty nice guy. As a politician, flat out, he is an asshole. I like others wrongly believed that if Mike was given enough time he would politically mature and get much better. Now, for the most part, I and a lot of other people were very wrong.
Hope was on the horizon when my friend Dorthy Teater ran for Mayor against Coleman but again, circumstancies compelled me to support Coleman again because it was the right thing to do. I was the Ohio Republican Party’s Statewide Minority Outreach Coordinator. The Teater Campaing was clearly and openly engaging in tactics that appeared racist, after being advised of such, would not cease. I publicly endorsed Coleman for what I felt was in the best interest of both the community and the Republican Party. I know a lot of people do not agree with the way I made my point but I did what I felt needed to be done for the future.
Now, after two terms of Coleman, Coleman’s worse enemy has caught up with him, himself. I believe that most, if not all the things that are being said about Coleman and his character is true. Not because Mike is a bad person because he is not but, because Mike is not a man of conviction or purpose. I do not wish ill of Mike and I hope he grows personally from the storm that will soon be upon him. Further, for the potential that is still within him, I hope he comes to learn what the following words really mean “To those much is given-much is required sometime, even unto death.
Cornell
I know Mike Coleman well. I know that he loves the city of Columbus and I know he loves the ladies. I feel extremely sorry for his wife not just because of her drinking problem but that it was probably caused by Mike’s infidelity. This isn’t something that started recently, but many years ago.
Having many politician friends, I know how women flock to them and a lot can’t resist them. A man like Mike, who’s in control of such a large city, thinks he’s God’s gift to women. His children not only have to deal with a mother who’s an alcoholic but a father who’s infedelity feeds his family’s disfunction.
While a man with or with out morals shouldn’t dictate our decision in representing and leading our city, the truth should be unveiled and no media outlet should do the people of Columbus the injustice of not publishing the truth. No matter how much campaign money has traded hands!
Mike, if you are reading this website be honest with yourself, your family, and the people of Columbus. You’ve shown us one side of you and we are not getting the whole story.
As far as the campagn expeditures go, I know for a fact they were not all for “business.” Maybe an internal investigation of city expenses should be in order.
Has anyone ever been to the Knotty Pine? Business expense 4/10/06. It is one of the more notorious crack bars on the north east side. There are myriad liquor control complaints, violence and profound issues of illegality that transpire there….I wonder if the mayor bought a round for everyone.
I’m assuming it’s the Knotty Pine in Grandview which is a decent place.
It should be noted that Coleman worked with the absolute worst lying and manipulative con-men who have been either directly or indirectly connected to the Communication and Field Coordination for the Ohio Democratic Party, Progress Ohio and America Votes Ohio
This is a huge “pay to say” scam being headed-up by Mr. Lie and Earn himself, Todd Hoffman, and his loyal sidekick, “big boi” Bryan Clark (both former AssHat front-pagers on the BS Blog).
As a registered Democrat and fairly left-leaning, I support Mayor Coleman based on the issues. However, I am appalled that Coleman has been associating, at such a close level, with the dynamic scumbag duo (Hoffman & Clark) and that Chris Redfern had the nerve to hire them to work at the Ohio Democratic Party Headquarters.
Hoffman and Clark have been teaming-up for a while. They both worked for Paul Hackett’s 2006 US Senate campaign and the Mike Coleman for Governor campaign.
Then, Hoffman got hired by Ohio Learn and Earn to disingenuously hack for gambling interests under the guise of supposedly working to benefit education.
During this whole period (2005-06), Bryan Clark and Russell Hughlock had nothing but grand and glorious things to “say” about Hoffman-Ohio LIE and Earn regarding what was published in blog posts on the front page of the BS Blog.
Hughlock benefited financially related to BS Blog advertising income he received from Mr. Lie and Earn, but the big pay-off came when Rich Cordray hired Huglock to work for the State of Ohio Treasurer’s office.
Clark benefited by receiving contracts related to his faux “field work” company named re:organize. These contracts were related to the Dem Party’s coordinated campaign and likely others. Of course, currently Clark is benefiting by being reunited with his buddy Todd Hoffman in their cushy “ivory tower” places inside Chris Redfern’s Ohio Democratic Party Headquarters in downtown Columbus.
Mayor Coleman, these two scumbags should NEVER be rewarded based on all of their horrendous lies and false propaganda spread throughout the Ohiosphere.
I believe Mayor Coleman is doing a lot of good for the City of Columbus, but hiring corrupt thuggish numb nut pricks like Mr. Lie and Earn Hoffman and “big boi” Bryan is unacceptable and damn near unforgivable.
Winning at all costs is NOT appropriate when the credibility of the entire Ohio Democratic Party is being dragged-down at an extremely rapid pace by Todd Hoffman and Bryan Clark.
I do NOT claim these two scumbags as part of the Democratic Party I support and neither should Mayor Coleman. Todd Hoffman, Bryan Clark and for that matter Chris Redfern should be excommunicated from the Ohio Democratic Party… ASAP !!!
Mike Coleman -liar,cheat, thief.
Mr. Coleman is re-elected by about 60,000 votes. These votes are from City employees or their relatives, pay to play players, developers, and those who believe what they read in The Dispatch. He continues to exploit Columbus for the Columbus titans, The Dispatch owners and the big law firms. Ultimately for his own personal benefit.
Capital City Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation (CCCURC) hired Benchmark Investigative Services to review the politics of Columbus. Cornell McCleary, owner of Benchmark produced a shocking report. I already knew that corruption is rampant. Based on my personal experiences, I believe Coleman will stop at nothing to have his way for his own personal gain, including lying, cheating and stealing. I believe he is dangerous.
The truth about the Lincoln Theater building, Mount Vernon Plaza, Poindexter Tower, Hickory Ridge, my Complaint of Discrimination against The City Of Columbus and the response from Nikki Jenkins, the report from Cornell McCleary are in print and available. I will send, free of any charge, up to 50 copies of this informantion in book form. E-mail your address to [email protected] When you receive this material, please read it and pass it on.
Also the lawsuit against the City of Columbus by CCCURC is waiting for a decision from a local Court.