“Cronyism Is Bad No Matter What”

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“Cronyism Is Bad No Matter What”

New Video Shows Josh Mandel In His Own Words On Importance Of Hiring Qualified Professionals

COLUMBUS, OHIO – A stunning report from the Dayton Daily News reveals that despite making the hallmark of his 2010 campaign a promise to surround himself with qualified financial professionals, Josh Mandel hired young, relatively inexperienced staffers from his 2010 campaign and gave them high-ranking jobs in the state treasurer’s office.

These names include:

Michael Lord: Mandel’s then 27 year old senior policy advisor who makes a salary of $100,000 a year. Prior to that, his only job experience was as a legislative aide to Mandel making $13.95 an hour and then as the “campaign manager” for Mandel’s Treasurer’s race.

Joe Aquilino: Mandel’s then 26 year old former Political Director from his Treasurer’s campaign who later made $90,000 a year as Director of Debt Management in the Treasurer’s office. Aquilino, who had no experience whatsoever for this job, later went to Mandel’s Senate campaign.

Scott Guthrie: A then 31 year old fundraiser from Mandel’s Treasurer’s campaign who was given a government job with a salary of nearly $50 an hour before almost immediately returning to Mandel’s campaign.

You can read the full piece here and learn more about how Mandel is not doing his job and can’t be trusted, but first watch Josh Mandel talk cronyism and qualified hires in his own words.

VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9E2tnan8lZk&feature=youtu.be

“This is yet another item in a long list of examples that Josh Mandel is not doing his job and can’t be trusted.,” said Brown campaign communications director Justin Barasky. “While shamefully ignoring his responsibilities as treasurer ever since taking office, the fact that he surrounded himself with numerous political cronies and carelessly trusted them to manage billions of our tax dollars is a stunning example of how little Josh Mandel cares about the very Ohioans he’s begging to send him to the U.S. Senate.”

BACKGROUND

During 2010 Campaign For State Treasurer, Mandel Repeatedly Criticized Kevin Boyce For Appointing Politically Connected People Into Key Positions. In March 2012, The Dayton Daily News reported “Mandel’s hires stand out because of the strong stance the then state representative took against incumbent Democrat Kevin Boyce’s hiring practices during the heated 2010 race for treasurer. Mandel repeatedly criticized Boyce for appointing politically connected people into key slots, and pledged to operate differently if elected to the office that oversees billions of dollars in investments and bond deals.” [Dayton Daily News, 03/31/12]

… And Promised To Operate Differently If Elected. In March 2012, The Dayton Daily News reported “Mandel’s hires stand out because of the strong stance the then state representative took against incumbent Democrat Kevin Boyce’s hiring practices during the heated 2010 race for treasurer. Mandel repeatedly criticized Boyce for appointing politically connected people into key slots, and pledged to operate differently if elected to the office that oversees billions of dollars in investments and bond deals.” [Dayton Daily News, 03/31/12]

Mandel: “I Will Ensure That My Staff Is Comprised Of Qualified Financial Professionals – Rather Than Cronies And Friends.” In March 2012, The Dayton Daily News wrote “Mandel’s hires stand out because of the strong stance the then state representative took against incumbent Democrat Kevin Boyce’s hiring practices during the heated 2010 race for treasurer. Mandel repeatedly criticized Boyce for appointing politically connected people into key slots, and pledged to operate differently if elected to the office that oversees billions of dollars in investments and bond deals. ‘Unlike the current officeholder, I will ensure that my staff is comprised of qualified financial professionals — rather than political cronies and friends — and that investment decisions are based on what is best for Ohioans,’ Mandel said in October 2010 during his first statewide election.” [Dayton Daily News, 03/31/12]

Mandel Hired Six Campaign Staffers To Positions Ranging From Debt Management And Policy Advising To Community Outreach. In March 2012, The Dayton Daily News reported “To see if Mandel was fulfilling his pledge not to hire political friends the Daily News reviewed personnel files and other records from the treasurer’s office. The review showed that Mandel put qualified, experienced staff members in some top positions, but also hired six campaign workers whose average age is 26 and assigned them duties ranging from debt management to policy-advising to community outreach.” [Dayton Daily News, 03/31/12]

Mandel: “Regardless, Cronyism Is Bad.” In October 2010, in an interview with the Dix Editorial Board, Josh Mandel said, “You know regardless, cronyism is bad, and a hallmark of our campaign, one of the main messages we’ve had in our campaign is restoring character and integrity to the treasurer’s office.” [Dix Editorial Board interview, 10/5/10]

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