GOP director resigns after revelation of felony conviction

5/13/2008

Joanne Wack, the executive director of the Lucas County Republican Party whose brushes with the law have become a point of friction in a struggle for party power, resigned her post Tuesday.

Bob Reichert, the party chairman, said he accepted Wack s resignation with regret.

Mr. Reichert said the intense negative media attention on her personal life was unbearable.

Wack has been the party s executive director since December, 2005. She admitted to having a felony grand larceny on her record after evidence was presented in a court hearing two weeks ago.

The Blade reported Tuesday that Wack s 1989 arrest for grand larceny was for the theft of antique silverware from a New York home where she was working as a nanny. She was also convicted of violating probation in the case.

In addition, Wack has had a series of financial judgments brought against her for nonpayment of bills.

Jon Stainbrook, a party activist who is running for chairman of the party when the central committee meets on Saturday, has accused Wack of improperly taking sides against his allies running for the Lucas County Republican Party s central committee.

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