Casino Backers Reprimanded

A Mahoning County judge issued a temporary restraining order against backers of a proposed four-casino plan after two of its petition circulators were seen in a secretly taped video giving voters incorrect information about the measure.

Judge James Evans granted the restraining order to Mahoning County Democratic Party Chair David Betras and Mahoning County Commissioner John McNally who used the video to sue the Ohio Jobs and Growth Committee. The order requires circulators to obey the law but still allows backers of the proposal to collect signatures needed to get the measure on the ballot this fall.

In a two-page order, Evans blocked the committee "from misrepresenting the contents, purpose or effect of the initiative proposing an amendment to the Ohio Constitution to authorize a single casino within each of the cities of Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Toledo."

For the complete story, please see Reginald Fields, Judge to casino circulators: be truthful; backers say no problem, The Plain Dealer, June 5, 2009.