COLUMBUS - Under investigation by the FBI for his lavish lifestyle, Ohio House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger resigned late Tuesday, effective May 1.
"I understand that the nature of this inquiry has the potential to be very demanding and intensive, and could take months or even years to resolve," he said in a statement. "Ohioans deserve elected leaders who are able to devote their full and undivided attention to (lawmaking). I believe the institution of the Ohio House of Representatives is far more important than one person. ...
"I take this step with full confidence in my ultimate vindication."
The FBI's interest in Rosenberger, one of Ohio's most powerful politicians, ranges from his worldwide travel to his use of a donor's luxury condo, several people briefed on the investigation told The Enquirer.
As speaker, the Clinton County native has made the most of the perks of the office. An Enquirer review on Monday detailed his travel, ranging from Europe to Israel to Los Angeles to Boston. Often, his trips were paid for with other people's money, instead of out of his $100,798 salary.
FBI agents are also looking into Rosenberger's cozy relationship with longtime GOP donor Ginni Ragan. Rosenberger, 36, of Clarksville, rented a luxury condo from her in downtown Columbus. The speaker did not say how much he paid in rent, and state law doesn't require he disclose it.
Rosenberger's penchant for travel was unmatched by other top Republican lawmakers. Rep. Kirk Schuring, Rosenberger's No. 2, said he follows a simple guideline when considering whether to accept free travel: "How does it read on the front page of the paper?"
Schuring, R-Canton, will become speaker until the House elects a new one.
In England with Churchill's granddaughter – and lobbyists
One trip that is of interest to the FBI: In August, Rosenberger joined five GOP leaders from other states on a four-day trip to London, paid for by the conservative GOPAC Education Fund's Institute for Leadership Development. Also on the trip: Rep. Nathan Manning, R-North Ridgeville, who attended as a guest of Rosenberger, GOPAC Executive Director Jessica Curtis said.
The trip, documented in Facebook photos, included a chance to meet Celia Sandys, the granddaughter of the late British prime minister Winston Churchill.
It also included an opportunity for lobbyists to rub shoulders with lawmakers. Two lobbyists for title lender LoanMax, Ohio's Steve Dimon and South Carolina's Leslie Gaines, are pictured in Facebook photos from the trip.
Title and payday lenders have been trying to stall legislation that would restrict that industry. Dimon declined to comment on whether he discussed the legislation with Rosenberger on the trip.
Did the FBI ask him about the trip? "You should ask the FBI," Dimon told The Enquirer Saturday.
Did they lobby Rosenberger?
Dimon and Gaines, linked as business partners and as a couple, have spent time with Rosenberger and other members of the Ohio House all over the country.
Gaines' Facebook page includes photos of Rosenberger in Vermont, in Florida, on a pheasant hunt and at Ohio Stadium.
But Gaines is not registered as a lobbyist in Ohio.
Both Dimon and Gaines lobby for Select Management Resources, which owns LoanMax. Dimon is registered as a lobbyist for that company in Ohio. Gaines is registered to lobby for the same company in South Carolina.
Dimon did not mention the trip to England on any state forms, which is not required so long as he did not pay for any of Rosenberger's or Manning's expenses. He also did not report lobbying for Select Management Resources on any bills in the second half of 2017.
The company has three other lobbyists in Ohio – Bob Klaffky, Doug Preisse and Ben Kaiser, all of Van Meter, Ashbrook & Associates. All three said they lobbied on two bills for Select Management Resources in the fourth quarter of 2017.
Lobbyists registered in Ohio don't have to report their own travel expenses, said Tony Bledsoe, the inspector general for the Ohio Legislature. But they do have to report all bills they discussed with lawmakers. They also must report all food they bought for a lawmaker and any gifts, entertainment or travel worth more than $25 they purchased for legislators.
How did Dimon and Gaines get on the trip with Rosenberger and the other lawmakers? When asked who went on the trip besides the lawmakers, Curtis said GOPAC did not disclose its donors.
GOPAC is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit. Such nonprofits dedicated to “social welfare” are not required to disclose the names of their donors and are allowed to wade into politics.
Neither Dimon nor Gaines responded to requests for comment Tuesday.
Rosenberger's ties to manufacturing heiress
Also of interest to the FBI: Rosenberger's living arrangements in Columbus. Ragan, the donor who owns the downtown Columbus condo he rented, has given $1.7 million to GOP politicians' campaigns – most of them members of the Ohio House – since 2012. Nearly $47,000 has gone to Rosenberger’s campaign.
Her donations have also funded Rosenberger's travel, although records do not show them doing so directly. He has spent money from his campaign fund on travel, but Ragan has also sponsored travel paid for an outside group. Rosenberger took a free trip in September to Normandy, France, with the National Conference of State Legislatures. Ragan was listed as a sponsor. Rosenberger sits on the group's board.
Ragan, 73, of Columbus, has advocated for years for the elderly and those with Alzheimer’s disease. Gov. John Kasich appointed Ragan to the Ohio Advisory Council for Aging. Her passion for helping those with Alzheimer’s arose after her father, the late Greif Inc. chairman John Dempsey, developed the disease.
Ragan is a top shareholder in Greif, a Delaware, Ohio, industrial packaging manufacturer, and her son serves on the company’s board.
Ragan could not be reached for comment Tuesday.