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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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.
-30-
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