State Ethics Commission to probe Finkbeiner's actions

5/25/2006

The Ohio Ethics Commission will investigate whether Toledo Mayor Carty Finkbeiner's failed efforts to boost the compensation for and retain Toledo Public Schools Superintendent Eugene Sanders violated state law.

David Freel, the commission's executive director, said today he understands that Mr. Finkbeiner has indicated he will be fully cooperative in the investigation.

The mayor acknowledged earlier this month in a letter to the commission that he led a group of "community leaders" who were trying to put together a compensation package that would have offset the extra $80,000 a year he said was being offered by Cleveland Public Schools to hire Mr. Sanders.

The mayor said he was unaware at the time that Ohio law prohibits supplementing the salary of a public official.

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