Originally published by: Pat Galbincea and the Plain Dealer
November 1, 2010
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner announced Monday she will investigate the owner of McDonald’s franchises in Stark County for including GOP campaign materials with workers’ paychecks.
The paychecks included a note saying, “If the right people are elected, we will be able to continue with raises and benefits at or above our present levels. If others are elected, we will not.”
That letter – which endorsed John Kasich for governor, Rob Portman as a Senate candidate and Jim Renacci as a congressional candidate — was distributed by franchise owner Paul Siegfried on McDonald’s stationery to employees at several Canton locations. One unnamed worker forwarded it to a Canton attorney, who in turn asked Canton Law Director Joe Martuccio to investigate.
Siegfried issued a written apology Friday, which did not move Brunner to halt her investigation, according to Kevin Kidder, a spokesman for Brunner.
“It’s a serious matter,” Kidder said. “Voter intimidation is involved. It’s a form of voter fraud. This requires a strong response. Brunner is required by law to investigate further.”
In her statement, Brunner said she has appointed attorney Rebecca M. Gerson of Youngstown to open a criminal investigation. She will make a written report and include any recommendation “that should include any considerations that would warrant the involvement of the U.S. Attorney.”
Brunner said she sent a letter to Stark County Prosecuting Attorney John Ferraro and Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern to coordinate any investigation because Redfern had asked Ferraro to open a criminal investigation.
Kidder said Brunner has not set a date when the investigation should be concluded but hopes the matter will be resolved “as soon as possible.”
Siegfried’s apology also said that employees have a right to vote for whomever they choose.
“Distributing this communication was an error of judgment on my part,” Siegfried’s statement said. “Please know that it was never my intention to offend anyone. For those I have offended, I sincerely apologize.”
McDonald’s USA also issued a statement Friday that its company respects its employees’ diverse opinions and “had no knowledge of this material being distributed” by Siegfried.
“The content of this material is not reflective of McDonald’s position,” said the statement from Shirley Rogers Reece, general manager of McDonald’s Ohio Region. “We remain bipartisan on these matters.”
Link to article: http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/11/post_385.html