Patrol: Security for 2 Ohio officials tops $70,000

12/4/2008

COLUMBUS, Ohio The State Highway Patrol says it has spent $73,673 on around-the-clock security protection for Ohio s elections chief and another top state official.

Costs for Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner s security through Nov. 22 were $53,215, while security expenses for Helen Jones-Kelley, the director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, were $20,458.

Gov. Ted Strickland approved security for the two officials after they received threats during the heated presidential election campaign.

Security for Jones-Kelley ended Nov. 25. She is on paid administrative leave while the state investigates whether she used state computers for political purposes.

Brunner spokesman Jeff Ortega says her security needs will be reassessed after the Nov. 4 election results are certified.