Скачать или смотреть State rep accuses Clermont County GOP of corruption

BATAVIA, Ohio (WKRC) - A local lawmaker is taking his own political party to task, accusing Clermont County Republican Party leadership of corruption and mismanagement.

State Rep. John Becker says he couldn't believe what he was hearing when he was allegedly offered a bribe by a Clermont County Republican Party leader.

“I will give you $50,000 for your Senate campaign if you endorse me for commissioner. Those were the words and I was just kind of stunned,” said Becker.

That’s why he wrote a 12-page newsletter laying out the alleged corruption inside the Clermont County GOP, but he is not disclosing who made the bribe.

Becker says Clermont County residents have a right to know what's going on with party politics.

“You’ve got party leadership committing treason against their own party and it's absolutely ridiculous and it's like these people have to go,” said Becker.

Local 12 went to the GOP headquarters in Batavia to see what party chairman Greg Simpson thinks. He declined to speak with us on camera but told us, "I have no idea what he's talking about. I'm sure there's a misunderstanding. I don't know of any bribe of any kind."

Chris Hicks, a candidate for Clermont County commissioner and self-proclaimed watchdog, isn't buying it.

“It's patently false,” said Hicks, who has been blowing the whistle for years. He hopes Becker speaking up will create some change.

“It’s a breakthrough moment when somebody who has traditionally kind of kept their mouth shut starts to come out with all these stories of corruption and bribes and bought endorsements and things like that,” said Hicks.

Both Hicks and Becker hope the airing of the party's laundry will bring new leadership and restore trust.

“Let’s get on the side of the line that’s for reform in the party, cleaning this stuff up, getting rid of those people that tolerate it and moving forward,” said Hicks.

"Hopefully with this going public and people start looking at the Clermont County Republican Party, saying, 'Hey we used to trust these people and now we can't anymore,'” said Becker.

Becker says he reported the alleged bribe to the Joint Legislative Ethics Committee in Columbus months ago but no action's been taken.

The Clermont County GOP declined to endorse Becker in his reelection bid. This is just the latest in a string of controversies with the Clermont County GOP. Last year, two Clermont County Republicans pled guilty to wrongdoing in office.