TIME LINE

TIME LINE
A governor's downfall
Events leading to Gov. Bob Taft's public reprimand by the Ohio Supreme Court on Wednesday:
2005
April 3
The Blade of Toledo reports that the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation has invested 50 million in rare coins with Tom Noe, a top Republican donor and fundraiser in Ohio.
May 11
Taft gives a speech at an ethics symposium at Xavier University, reminding those in attendance that public employees must pay for golf outings with persons working for a company doing business with the state.
May 23
Inspector General Tom Charles asks Taft's office for several years' worth of phone records and e-mails, saying he wants to know more about what the governor's staff may have received from Noe.
June 21
Taft discloses he has told the Ohio Ethics Commission that he failed to report a number of golf outings in his financial disclosure statements in past years.
Aug. 5
Taft releases records showing he accepted invitations to play golf with prominent Ohioans, including once with Noe, at least 21 times during his administration.
Aug. 11
The Ohio Ethics Commission concludes its investigation into Taft's golf outings and forwarded the results to prosecutors.
Aug. 17
Prosecutors charge Taft with four misdemeanors for failing to report 52 gifts worth about 5,800, including 47 golf outings.
Aug. 18
Taft pleas no contest to the charges, is fined 4,000 and ordered to apologize to the people of Ohio.
2006
April 10
The Office of Disciplinary Counsel, the arm of the Ohio Supreme Court that monitors lawyer behavior, recommends that Taft be disciplined for violation of the code of professional conduct, which states that a lawyer shall not "engage in any other conduct that adversely reflects on the lawyer's fitness to practice law."
Aug. 16
The court's board of commissioners on grievances and discipline recommends a public reprimand.
Dec. 27
The state Supreme Court rules unanimously to reprimand Taft and the discipline becomes part of his permanent record.
Source: AP research