Freeman v. Ohio Elections Comm.

Citations

• 240 N.E.3d 381
• 2024 Ohio 1223

Syllabus

Judgment affirmed. The common pleas court did not abuse its discretion by rejecting appellants' contention that the Ohio Elections Commission refused to allow appellants' attorney to testify. The common pleas court did not err by rejecting appellants' due process violation claim, because the substance of the complaints alleged violations of R.C. 3517.10(A)(1) and (2) and 3517.13(B) and (C), and because appellants knew the charges against them and had a reasonable opportunity to defend against those charges at the hearings before the commission. Pursuant to R.C. 3517.992(A)(1), the commission properly imposed the fine against the candidate, Allen Freeman, for his committee's violation of R.C. 3517.13. Because appellants did not raise their vicarious liability argument during the administrative proceedings, they waived the argument. The $50,000 fine was authorized by law, and the commission properly imposed the fine against both Freeman and his committee.