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​Mount Vernon, Ohio – Former Ohio Speaker Larry Householder was arraigned and pled Not Guilty today in a case that should have never been brought, in a county where it doesn’t belong, that is at most a Misdemeanor, where the Statute of Limitations has long ago run.  The similarities to the political prosecution of Donald Trump by Alvin Bragg in New York City are eerily similar.
 
This investigation and the charges are a blatant abuse of legal authority and taxpayer dollars.  There is no prohibition under Ohio law that prevents a candidate or officeholder from using campaign funds to pay for criminal attorneys to defend against campaign or public office related charges.  The sole authority is a handful of old Advisory Opinions from the Ohio Elections Commission that are not binding on the courts.  In fact, federal law and many state laws recognize that campaign funds may be used to defend against criminal charges that arise solely because of actions taken as an officeholder and/or candidate. 
 
Dave Yost knows this.  That’s why he brought two complaints against Mr. Householder and the campaign committee in the Ohio Elections Commission nearly four years ago.  The Ohio Elections Commission, under statute, has sole authority over the matter of the legal fees.
 
AG (Aspiring Governor) Dave Yost has proven time and time again that he hates the First Amendment.  Let’s not forget that during the civil litigation over HB 6 he attempted to impose an unconstitutional gag order over Larry Householder that would have prevented him from talking about HB 6 or any other matter while he was amid his re-election campaign.  In his own words, Yost brought these charges in order to prevent Mr. Householder from being able to run for or otherwise serve in public office if his federal appeal is successful. 
 
We are very confident in the criminal defense team that has been assembled.  We hope the public will soon recognize this case as what it is, a political vendetta brought by an overly aggressive and ambitious AG (Aspiring Governor).  Thank you. 
 
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​WRITTEN TESTIMONY
 
MAY 29, 2024
 
By Scott A. Pullins
 
Attorney & Counselor at Law
Pullins Law Firm LLC
www.pullinslaw.com
 
110 East Gambier Street, Suite 3
Mount Vernon, OH 43050
740.392.3505
 
before the
Government Oversight Committee
of the Ohio House of Representatives
 
On
 
H.B. 1
135th General Assembly Special Session
 
Chairman Peterson, Vice Chairman Thomas, Ranking Member Humphrey and members of the Government Oversight Committee, thank you for the opportunity to give written testimony on H.B. 1.  My name is Scott Pullins and I am a longtime election law attorney.  I have regularly appeared since 2004 before the Ohio Elections Commission and the Federal Elections Commission on behalf of legal clients.
 
Over the years I have prosecuted numerous election law complaints on behalf of candidates, political parties, and political action committees.  I have also defended numerous complaints on behalf of candidates, political parties, and political action committees.  Additionally, I have been involved over the years on behalf of local liquor option elections, zoning issues, and other issue-based campaigns.
 
I write to you today to express my strong support for H.B. 1.  I want to acknowledge and thank State Representative Seitz both for bringing this legislation forward and for his willingness to listen closely and take suggestions. 
 
H.B. 1 is very simple legislation.  It simply prohibits foreign nationals, as they have long been defined under both state and federal laws, from contributing or spending money in Ohio elections.  Unlike the Senate passed legislation, this bill does not prohibit Permanent Residents with Green Cards from donating as they have long been permitted to do.
 
I have heard concerns expressed about new language requiring that the Ohio Elections Commission refer violations of the foreign giving ban only to the Attorney General of Ohio.  I have no concerns about this language.  I would have concerns, as did the County Prosecutors Association of Ohio, in referring all Commission cases to the Attorney General.
 
Referrals to prosecution by the Ohio Elections Commission are extremely rare.  In fact, during the long history of the Ohio Elections Commission they have only referred a total of seven cases to the Franklin County Prosecutor.
 
Most recently I was lead counsel on behalf of a complainant that brought an extensive complaint against former Governor’s candidate Joe Blystone.  Despite the vast evidence of his egregious misconduct, the Commission still did not want to refer the case for prosecution.  The case did end in the largest monetary fine ever levied against a Ohio political candidate along with an agreement by Mr. Blystone to not seek public office again for a period of five years.
 
Ohio law is woefully behind in updating its overall campaign finance legislation.  Nonetheless, the purposes of this Special Session are solely limited to two items: foreign donations and placing President Biden on the Ohio general election ballot.  I will be more than happy to assist the Committee in the future on additional campaign finance issues as they arise.  Thank you.

Image via Pexels

Image: Pexels

​Small business owners need to be prepared for the unexpected. The best way to do this is by having an effective financial safety net in place. This will ensure that your business can weather any financial storm and come out on top. In this blog post, Scott Pullins shares how to create a financial safety net for your small business.

Obtaining Adequate Insurance Coverage

Having enough business insurance is another way to protect yourself from any unforeseen costs or losses that may arise in the future. Make sure you have adequate coverage for all aspects of your business including property damage, liability claims, personal injury claims, and workers’ compensation claims. This will help protect your assets in case something unexpected happens.

Forming a Limited Liability Company

If you don’t already have one, consider converting your business into an LLC (limited liability company). Doing so helps protect your personal assets by shielding them from any potential liabilities or debts incurred by the company itself. Forming an LLC can be done either by hiring a lawyer or using a formation service, which is much more cost-effective. Before settling on the final choice, make sure to do some research and read reviews to ensure you select the best formation service for your needs.

Accumulating a Reserve Fund

Building an emergency fund is a vital step in protecting your business. This should be done as soon as possible and should include enough capital to cover at least 6 months of expenses. Doing this will give you peace of mind knowing that you will have enough money to cover any unexpected costs or losses that may arise.

Applying for Grants

Applying for grants can also help provide additional funding when needed without having to incur debt or put a strain on cash flow reserves. There are many grants available through government agencies and private organizations that may fit well with what your business needs and provide much-needed capital when needed most. Do thorough research and consider applying for multiple grants.

Leveraging Cloud Technology

Another way to create a financial safety net is by utilizing cloud-based systems. By moving your data and systems into the cloud, you can easily access them from anywhere with an internet connection, which allows you to make quick decisions if needed. Additionally, cloud-based systems are generally more secure since they are not stored locally and can be backed up easily if needed.

Hiring Independent Contractors to Save

Working with independent contractors rather than full-time employees can help save on employment taxes as well as other benefits-related expenses. This includes health insurance premiums and retirement plan contributions. These savings add up quickly over time making them worth considering when creating a financial safety net for your small business.

Keeping Healthy Partnerships with Creditors and Vendors

Maintaining good relationships with creditors and vendors is also key when creating a financial safety net. Building relationships with creditors and vendors can help ensure that they continue to provide quality services at competitive prices over time. It could also encourage them to provide better payment terms than those offered by other companies in the market.

Rent a Home with Standalone Office Space

Instead of leasing office space, consider renting a bigger home where you can run your business. Look for a bigger home with a home office or spare bedroom, and use it to run your business instead of leasing an office or using coworking space. Utilize online listings to find a suitable residence, filtering by cost, house type, and bedrooms/bathrooms.
 
All businesses need some form of protection against unexpected expenses or losses that may arise due to unforeseen circumstances. By following these steps — including purchasing insurance, converting to an LLC, and finding a home with office space — you will be able to create an effective financial safety net that will keep your small business running smoothly no matter what life throws at it. Remember, having a contingency plan in place is always better than being unprepared!

The recent enactment of SB 215 makes Ohio the 23rd state to allow citizens to carry a concealed handgun without a permit.  The Ohio Attorney General has released a free updated manual which can be found here.