Public Release of the Ohio Troopers Coalition

By OTC President, Jeremy Mendenhall

Columbus, OH 

November 13, 2007

For some years now the Ohio Troopers have been active in charitable fund raising for a number of specific programs here in Ohio. For the past three years we have attempted to undertake a greater responsibility in the fund raising process. To that end we have worked with a national consultant and fund raising company called Civic Development Group out of New Jersey.

Just this past week the Ohio Attorney General in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas sued CDG. The Attorney General alleges that certain practices in the fund raising process violate Ohio law. We have consulted with CDG and it assures us that the practices being challenged are not violative of law. We are not a party to the litigation. That is, the OTC is not a Defendant in the suit.  We will watch with interest as the suit develops and, as we have always been, will be more than willing to tell the court what we know about the process being challenged. We will of course abide by whatever outcome takes place in the court system.

It is our firm belief that the programs supported by our charities are worthwhile and should continue to merit the support of the public. We will have no further comment on the legal proceedings while they progress normally through the justice system.