DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — A newspaper reports a state senator backed Ohio legislative actions that eventually benefited a nonprofit he co-founded by more than $800,000.
The Dayton Daily News (http://bit.ly/Zjir4P ) reports state Sen. Chris Widener of Springfield was in the Ohio House when he backed 2008 Senate changes to House Bill 160. The newspaper says the bill helped the Ohio Equine and Agricultural Association get out from under $413,877 in taxes and penalties levied against the Champions Center. The newspaper reports Widener inserted an amendment into the 2009 state budget bill that allowed Clark County to levy a bed tax generating $412,890 in revenue for Ohio Equine.
The newspaper says Widener denies wrongdoing, saying he spent his career maintaining the highest ethical standards. Widener did not immediately respond to telephone and email messages Sunday.
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Information from: Dayton Daily News, http://www.daytondailynews.com
