Failed candidate and corrupt politician Josh Mandel is attempting his third run for the U.S. Senate in Ohio, and that’s why we’re here to take you on another trip down memory lane as we review his biggest scandals. We’ve already covered his long history of shady campaign cash schemes and pay-to-play scandals, investigated a case of a missing Mandel, took a look at his political cronyism — and in this week’s edition of Mandel Memories, we’re reviewing his record of granting special awards to his big money donors.
As Ohio Treasurer, Josh Mandel established a new award program to recognize Ohio manufacturers… and then primarily granted the new recognition to workers at the firms of his big money donors. An Associated Press report at the time found that executives at 10 of the 17 manufacturing companies that received the newly established award were Republican donors, “rais[ing] questions about whether Mandel is using the nonmonetary Ohio Strong Award…to reward and attract political contributors.” One company shared that “a fundraiser soliciting donations for Mandel’s campaign” called just weeks after their employees were honored. Mandel’s new award also drew “ire from trade unions,” with labor leaders feeling the program was a “phony gimmick” and that “Mandel manufactured the award to boost his image and name recognition.”
“Time and time again, Josh Mandel has proven he will do anything for himself — even flagrantly abuse his political office to make up a phony award program to reward Republican donors,” said DSCC spokesperson Stewart Boss. “Josh is a self-interested, opportunistic politician who only cares about his own personal ambitions and catering to the wealthy donors who fund his campaigns. No wonder Ohioans have rejected his Senate campaigns twice before.”
Associated Press: Mandel’s Ohio Strong Awards lean toward GOP backers
Cleveland Plain Dealer: Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel’s manufacturing award program draws ire from trade unions
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