Noe Sentenced to 18 Years

Toledo-based Republican fund-raiser and powerbroker Tom Noe received an 18 year sentence in Lucas County Common Pleas Court today. This sentence, resulting from corrupt activity and aggravated theft charges relating to his management of a $50 million rare coin fund for the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation, will be served consecutively to a 27-month term in federal prison for channeling money to the 2004 Bush-Cheney campaign in violation of campaign finance laws.

UPDATE: The Cleveland Plain Dealer reveals that Noe spurned a plea bargain that would have given him only 12 years on the state charges.

Noe's associate Timothy LaPointe, whose testimony was crucial to the Noe prosecution, will plead guilty to racketeering and tampering with records next Monday.