Not Doing His Job: Josh Mandel Blows Off Ohio Taxpayers To Fundraise In D.C., Misses Yet Another Board Of Deposit Meeting
Jan 27, 2012
Associated Press Report Wednesday Revealed Mandel Has Missed Every Single Board Of Deposit Meeting Since He Took Office
Yesterday, Treasurer Who Is “Focused On Politics” Skipped Another Meeting To Raise $$$ In D.C.
COLUMBUS, OHIO – Following a devastating new report from the Associated Press on Wednesday in which it was revealed that Josh Mandel has blown off every single Board of Deposit meeting since becoming Treasurer, Mandel unbelievably skipped yet another meeting yesterday. What could possibly cause Mandel to skip a meeting where decisions about “which banks will hold billions in state deposits” are made?
The Toledo Blade reported:
“The day that an Associated Press story ran in a number of Ohio newspapers about Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel missing all of the Ohio Board of Deposit meetings since being sworn in as treasurer, Mr. Mandel missed another one.”
Mr. Mandel, who is running for U.S. Senate, was in Washington Thursday for an 8 a.m. fund-raising breakfast sponsored by U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R., Ohio) just two hours before a board of deposit meeting was scheduled is Columbus.
The Associated Press followed up:
“Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel was in Washington on Thursday to attend a $500-a-plate breakfast fundraiser for his U.S. Senate campaign, continuing his trend of skipping meetings of a board he chairs that handles billions of Ohio’s deposits…
Individuals attending the event at Charlie Palmer Steak were asked to donate $500, with political action committees donating $1,000. Hosts of the event were asked to donate $1,000, while hosting PACs were asked for $2,000.”
Meanwhile, Ohio taxpayers are left to wonder what they’re getting out of a Treasurer who never does his job.
But it’s not all doom and gloom–Sen. Portman said yesterday’s event was a “big hit,” and if you want a real laugh, check out what Mandel’s spokesman had to say in response to the controversy:
“Josh is the hardest working State Treasurer in America”
Seriously.
Last week, a look at Mandel’s official schedule as treasurer revealed that despite at least 50 events related to his Senate campaign (largely fundraising), Josh Mandel found the time to talk with just 8 businesses in Ohio. This echoes an Associated Press report from last week that shows his “weekly calendars as state treasurer are almost devoid of appointments outside of staff meetings and speaking engagements.”
“Josh Mandel is not doing his job because of his overly ambitious personal agenda and this is irrefutable evidence of Mandel being completely and totally unfocused on the job he promised voters he would fulfill, said Ohio Democratic Party press secretary Justin Barasky. “One would be hard-pressed to find another Treasurer anywhere in the country more willfully neglecting their responsibilities as a public servant than Josh Mandel.”
BACKGROUND
Mandel Hasn’t Attended A Single Monthly Meeting Of The “Powerful” State Board That “Decides Which Banks Will Hold Billions In State Deposits.” In a January 2012 article The Associated Press reported: “Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel hasn’t attended a single monthly meeting of the powerful but mundane state board that decides which banks will hold billions in state deposits, records show.” [Associated Press, 01/25/12]
AP: Mandel’s Absence “Makes Him Unique Among Modern-Era Treasurers.” In a January 2012 article The Associated Press reported: “the total absence of Mandel, a first-term Republican, makes him unique among modern-era treasurers. Meeting minutes, news clippings and interviews by The Associated Press show that every state treasurer since at least the early 1980s has some record of attending the Board of Deposit meetings in person.” [Associated Press, 01/25/12]
Josh Mandel’s Public Schedule “Was Virtually Devoid Of Appointments” The Same Year As “He Appeared At Numerous Out-Of-State Fundraisers.” In a January 2012 article The Associated Press reported that Josh Mandel’s “public schedule since taking office in January 2011 was virtually devoid of appointments outside of staff meetings and speaking engagements in a year when he appeared at numerous out-of-state fundraisers.” [Associated Press, 01/25/12]
National Journal: Mandel’s “Absence From His Official Duties” Will Lead To Continued Criticism “That His Focus Has Been Solely On Raising Money, At The Expense Of His Government Responsibilities.” In a January 2012 blogpost The National Journal wrote: “Mandel’s fundraising numbers have been among the most impressive of any challenger, but his absence from his official duties and his lack of a campaign trail presence will only lead critics to continue to suggest that his focus has been solely on raising money, at the expense of his government responsibilities.” [National Journal, 01/26/12
“Politico Has Obtained An Invitation For A D.C. Fundraiser On Behalf Of Mandel Set For … Just Two Hours Before The Next Scheduled Board Of Deposit Meeting In Columbus.” “Josh Mandel -- the Ohio Senate candidate who has been fully embraced by the Washington GOP establishment but besieged by a downpour of critical headlines -- is facing more scrutiny about how he's juggling politics with his day job. The Associated Press out of Columbia dropped a story … that the first-term state treasurer ‘hasn't attended a single monthly meeting’ of a powerful board that decides which banks will hold billions in state deposits.” Politico
“Mr. Mandel … Was In Washington Thursday For An 8 A.M. Fund-Raising Breakfast Sponsored By U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R., Ohio) Just Two Hours Before A Board Of Deposit Meeting Was Scheduled.” In a January 2012 article The Toledo Blade reported: “Mr. Mandel, who is running for U.S. Senate, was in Washington Thursday for an 8 a.m. fund-raising breakfast sponsored by U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R., Ohio) just two hours before a board of deposit meeting was scheduled. Mr. Mandel’s fund-raiser was held at the Charlie Palmer Steakhouse, 101 Constitution Ave. Tickets to support his race against U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D., Ohio) ranged from $500 for an individual to $2,000 for a ‘host.’” [Toledo Blade, 01/26/12]
