July 18, 2005

"Probe targets Republican's donation to election official"

"Prosecutors are investigating a $10,000 check that a Republican political consultant who works for a voting-machine company handed to the director of the Franklin County Board of Elections.

The consultant, Pasquale "Pat" Gallina, visited elections director Matthew Damschroder in early 2004 on the same day that the county was opening bids for voter-registration software, Damschroder said.

"I'm here to give you $10,000," Damschroder recalled Gallina saying. "Who do I make it payable to?"

"Well, you're certainly not going to make it out to me," Damschroder said he told Gallina, who represents Diebold Election Systems. "But I'm sure the Franklin County Republican Party would appreciate a donation."

Gallina wrote the check and Damschroder said he mailed it to the county party.

Diebold didn't get the software contract, and Damschroder said he never recommended the company."

The story is here.

Posted by Randy Riddle at July 18, 2005 09:58 AM