01-06-2010 Press Release: Response to AG Comments on Lobbying

01-06-2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Statement by Victor Hipsley, President
Ohio Lobbying Association

As President of the Ohio Lobbying Association (OLA), I was surprised to
see Attorney General Cordray’s comments about corruption and wealthy special
interests in a story about a very few lobbyists who had missed filing deadlines
and were being assessed fines. The story had to do with enforcing required
reporting standards and contained no allegation of corruption or scandal on the
part of a lobbyist or anyone else.

The OLA vigorously supports the efforts of the Legislative Inspector
General and the Attorney General’s efforts to collect fines from those who failed
to meet deadlines (and we note that none of those who were fined are OLA
members) but we believe the focus of this story should be on the fact that 99.9
percent of the lobbying profession is in compliance with the standards set by
state law. We would challenge any other profession that is regulated by the state
to demonstrate a level of compliance that high.

After the Attorney General’s press release, I contacted Attorney General
Richard Cordray for his comment. He indicated that his statement was to be
specific only to his office’s efforts to collect fines and not regarding any ethical
allegations. He expressed his willingness to continue to work vigorously with the
OLA and the profession overall to ensure that all lobbyists are compliant with
state law – a mutual goal of the OLA.

The OLA and its members take pride in its ethical obligation to the state
and its citizens, and remains committed to ensure that its members adhere to the
Association’s Model Standards of Conduct as well as all lobbying ethics laws.

For more information please contact the Ohio Lobbying Association
P.O. Box 28787
Columbus, Ohio 43228
Phone: 614.795.4145

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