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Ohio Inspector General Rules Joe the Plumber Digging "Improper," Serving "No Legitimate Agency Function;" Refers the Case to Prosecutors "For Consideration"

Gate One of the expected, and well-nigh inevitable, whitewash, did not close and the case moves forward.

There are still three or four gates the case has to clear, of course. The "Not enough evidence to prosecute" gate, the "no controlling legal authority gate," and of course the standard "Helen Jones-Kelley has agreed to attend counseling, and we think this concludes the matter" gate.

Still, for now, it goes forward. The Inspector General doesn't seem to have participated in the inevitable whitewash himself.

Ohio Department of Job and Family Services director Helen Jones-Kelley improperly allowed employees to look at Joe the Plumber's confidential state records with "no legitimate agency function," a state investigation concluded.

That's the bottom line from a 48-page report released by Ohio Inspector General Tom Charles on Thursday afternoon. The report calls Jones-Kelley's authorization "improper" and says that she has committed "a wrongful act" by allowing ["allowing?"she authorized them --ace] underlings to search databases for information on Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher-a Toledo plumber who was thrust into the spotlight of the 2008 presidential election after he asked a tax policy question of Democratic nominee Barack Obama.

The report calls her rationale that the agency often searches databases for those thrust into the public spotlight "unpersuasive." It says that two former agency directors contradicted Jones-Kelley's claim that such searches are done on newfound celebrities. It concludes that there was "no legitimate agency function or purpose" but does not find that it was politically motivated. [Huh? Maybe some whitewash afoot after all--ace]

The report also states that Jones-Kelley, who gave $2,500 to the Obama campaign, sent four e-mails through her state Blackberry where she provided lists of names of potential contributors to the Obama campaign. It states that such an act violates the governor's policy on political activity and constitutes a "wrongful act" by Jones-Kelley.

The case was referred to Franklin County prosecutors "for review and consideration."

Thanks to WilliamR.

Posted by: Ace at 02:25 PM



Comments

1

It concludes that there was "no legitimate agency function or purpose" but does not find that it was politically motivated.

So what was the motivation then huh mr. smartguy?  I mean if they can rule out one possible motivation they must have information that points to a different reasoning.

Posted by: buzzion at November 20, 2008 02:38 PM (Lrsi6)

2 I don't think they can whitewash this to Joe's detriment.

Suit, subpoena, discovery, oaths, ... quick settlement.

Repeat for each agency.

Posted by: toby928 at November 20, 2008 02:41 PM (PD1tk)

3 I remember a few years ago where a cop was convicted and sent to prison for illegally accessing databases. I keep thinking there must of been something more to it. However, I remember thinking at the time it was an overly harsh sentence, so maybe not. Therefore, I want this Jones-Kelley bitch to go to the joint and forced to become a lesbian. Or, just to piss off Christoph, drop her from a plane at 35k feet.

Posted by: Perry Mason at November 20, 2008 02:42 PM (nTC6Z)

4 buzzion,

'Zactly.

Posted by: ace at November 20, 2008 02:43 PM (8T2pi)

5

She'll probably resign "to spend nore time with her family" and then high-tail it to DC for a job in the new administration.

Dept. of Homeland Security Director sounds right up her alley.

Posted by: myiq2xu at November 20, 2008 02:46 PM (2WD/G)

6 does not find that it was politically motivated.

SUDDEN. SCUMBAG. SYNDROME.

Posted by: Purple Avenger at November 20, 2008 02:48 PM (OqXyp)

7 The fact of the matter is, Joe has a really strong case if he decides to sue, and sue he should. If they whitewashed it, he surely would sue and win huge. Then all thedirt would come out anyway, regardless of the coverup. Perhaps they are hoping to avoid him suing in the first place by doing something-or at least appearing to. He should sue all their asses off for millions no matter what happens in this investigation, he'd win in a heart beat

Posted by: Sue em joe at November 20, 2008 02:51 PM (B/Y39)

8

The only motivation I can see than a political one is one relating to celebrity, which Jones-Kelley has already inadvertantly admitted to -- they pretty much spend their time in the office looking up famous people in the computer for stuff to talk about around the coffee machine. 

Like (hypothetically) how LeBron James's mom owes back taxes or how Drew Carey never pays parking tickets.  In other words, their jobs routinely consist of surfing the databases for entertainment, and low-level stalking. 

It's just what they do.

Your tax dollars at work, Ohio. 

Posted by: PalinFan at November 20, 2008 02:51 PM (IzUmo)

9 Digging for info on the joe the plumber: crickets
Digging for intel on terrorists: shredding the Constitution

Case study in liberal hypocrisy #1,987,654

Posted by: Dash Rendar at November 20, 2008 02:52 PM (/TEUM)

10 Thanks, Helen.

(now get under the bus...)

Posted by: Obammy at November 20, 2008 02:54 PM (ivZjP)

11 The only motivation I can see than a political one is one relating to celebrity, which Jones-Kelley has already inadvertantly admitted to.

Well, that was her excuse.  What she needs to do to make it believable is produce examples of that...a few more than just Joe.

Posted by: Purple Avenger at November 20, 2008 02:55 PM (OqXyp)

12 Heh, OT, but slightly hilarious:


"The staple of right-wing radio shows in the US, there is fevered speculation that the chemicals being sprayed are part of a wider plot that involves the so-called New World Order and is being directed by shadowy forces within the government."
http://tinyurl.com/5zuw7f

Posted by: Dash Rendar at November 20, 2008 03:02 PM (/TEUM)

13

Black female government worker. They do not come any more protected than that….wait, she could have some kind of disability and also be a lesbian. Humm….

 

She will get away with this with, at most, a letter in her file for a year. 

 

As per normal government working, the tax payer will be held accountable when JTP sues and collects big damages.

Posted by: Vic at November 20, 2008 03:03 PM (Qd7GC)

14 Did someone already point out the liberal hypocrisy on this?  Oh they did? damn.

Posted by: kefka at November 20, 2008 03:06 PM (fKivs)

15
Maybe we can reopen the case against Mary McCarthy, the CIA employee who used her position to influence an election.

Oh that's right, the case against McCarthy, Democrat operative, was never opened. Way to go Bush and Republicans!

Posted by: Bart at November 20, 2008 03:10 PM (8ychb)

16

Black female government worker. They do not come any more protected than that….wait, she could have some kind of disability and also be a lesbian. Humm….

 

She will get away with this with, at most, a letter in her file for a year. 

 

More likely, she will file a discrimination lawsuit claiming that all the punishment is because she's black.  They will be forced to give her a raise and pay retroactive back to whenever his whole thing started.  That and a big chunk of damages.

Posted by: Steve L. at November 20, 2008 03:15 PM (o0YD+)

17 There is also a good chance that Helen Jones-Kelley gets scapegoated.  This got just enough attention to be an institutional ocular subdural hematoma, and so a nice compromise is to let her and her career part company.

Or they'll drag it out until we forget.

Posted by: Loren Heal at November 20, 2008 03:25 PM (oVyLV)

18 Sue them.  Nail them to the wall for their perfidy.  I will bet an entire bottle of Val-U-Rite that this is not the first time Ms. Jones-Kelley has been snooping through the files.  Let's see who else she dug up dirt on.  Hellooo, discovery!

Posted by: chemjeff at November 20, 2008 03:48 PM (wy+AE)

19 A lawsuit isn't enough.  Prison sentences and a daily ass-raping for the fascist fucks who dug up shit on JTP!

Posted by: ol-dirty-/b/tard at November 20, 2008 03:54 PM (IoUF1)

20

The good thing about Ohio is they are a swing state, and likely have a fair share of non moonbat folks and Rs in various levels of govt.

So they cant completely stack the deck, as much as they'd like. If this was CA, or NJ, fuggetabouddit

Posted by: TMF at November 20, 2008 04:01 PM (waaUg)

21

Sue them.  Nail them to the wall for their perfidy

 

As I said earlier, the problem is that the only  people then held accountable is the taxpayer. What would be a nice touch is in cases like this when the gov gets sued because of the actions of a specific employee, that employee would be responsible for damages up until they lost all assets.

Posted by: Vic at November 20, 2008 04:17 PM (Qd7GC)

22

whitewash

RACISTS !

Posted by: Mr. Pissed at November 20, 2008 04:23 PM (X7Ey1)

23 Just got off the phone with the Office of Ohio Inspector General, expressing my happiness that the IG had done the right thing -- the pleasant woman I talked with seemed to genuinely appreciate a non-complaint and said she'd definitely pass the sentiment to him.

Maybe part of her surprise at a compliment was that I called in on their File-A-Complaint line (at http://watchdog.ohio.gov/oigcont.htm ); I probably broke their string of 5839 consecutive complaints . . .

Posted by: Watching'em at November 20, 2008 04:29 PM (TbY+e)

24

Very simply, if it was agency procedure to do this, it would be in the policy and procedures manual - it would be written down and accessible by all employees.  The fact that the agency director did not refer to the manual and produce the policy is clear evidence that there is no such policy.

Use of a government data base (or any other government equipment) without a proper public purpose is using it improperly.  The policy for use for private purposes should apply, and this isn't a de minimus use (using an office pen to write a letter to your dad).  This is pretty egregious.

There may not be a criminal act invovled unless it is treated in that fashion.  The necessary statutes and agency rules for Ohio would have to be reviewed for that.  More fun to come on this one, I believe.  And more mandatory training sessions in the government of Ohio is a guarantee.

Posted by: Mikey NTH at November 20, 2008 04:44 PM (TUWci)

25

Oh, and for Joe?

42 USC Sec. 1983 is your first step.  Get it into federal court if you can.

Posted by: Mikey NTH at November 20, 2008 04:47 PM (TUWci)

26

Can the state use a public figure defense like the AJC used in the libel suit brought on by Richard Jewell?

Posted by: Eric at November 20, 2008 05:53 PM (3f3uN)

27 This is good news and all, but what about Cheney? He's about to be slapped in leg irons and tried for...um, some charge the DA pulled out of his ass, down in South Texas.

Posted by: stace at November 20, 2008 06:13 PM (JO0c/)

28 Britt Hume just said she being punished "She will lose one month pay"

Posted by: sut at November 20, 2008 06:21 PM (axvPn)

29 This is a flawed judicial system if this woman is allowed to get away with this now.  However, all of you "privacy" defenders might recall a little piece of legislation passed by our own Bush administration giving amnesty to telecommunications companies who gave out personal information and messages to the government.  The only difference is that in the latter case the victimizing party writes the rulebook and in the former, it is seen as an illuminati leftist conspiracy. 

Posted by: RJ at November 21, 2008 10:56 PM (5YNnx)

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