Ohio Fundraiser Gets 18 Years in Prison

Nov 20, 10:56 AM (ET)By JOHN SEEWER

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) - A former GOP fundraiser at the center of a scandal-plagued state investment in rare coins that helped Democrats seize power in the midterm elections was sentenced Monday to 18 years in prison.

Tom Noe, a prominent coin dealer accused of taking at least $2 million, was convicted last week of theft, corrupt activity, money laundering, forgery and tampering with records.

Lucas County Common Pleas Judge Thomas Osowik, who described the crime as an "elaborate scheme of theft on a large scale," also fined Noe $120,000.

"You continued to spend the bureau's money at what I thought was a shockingly, alarmingly large rate, and done for one purpose: to present some type of a facade that you had a bottomless cup of wealth and luxury at your disposal, when in fact it was at the state's expense," Osowik said.
Noe declined to make a statement during the hearing.

Defense attorney John Mitchell urged Osowik before sentencing to consider that Noe is unlikely to repeat his crimes.
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