GOP county chairman wants incumbent to take polygraph

By D.A. Wilkinson

Linda Bolon referred all questions to the House Democratic Caucus.

SALEM — Democratic State Rep. Linda Bolon isn’t talking, but Columbiana County Republican Party Chairman David W. Johnson wants her to take a lie-detector test.

It’s the latest turn in a campaign against Bolon’s opponent, Republican Caroline Hergenrother of Salem, who is challenging Bolon for the 1st District House seat.

Salem Police Chief Robert Floor said Thursday he is working with an official at the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation to determine whether the state agency can investigate.

BCI can investigate crimes, but doesn’t get involved in civil or administrative problems.

Investigative documents from the city police department were leaked to the Ohio House Democratic Caucus and the press. Under state law, investigative documents are not public records.

The department is also still investigating an incident at a local sports bar early Sept. 21. Hergenrother and her husband, Kurt, were at the Salem establishment when an altercation occurred between the other people and the Hergenrothers as the couple left. Police are still investigating, and no charges have been filed.

Bolon was asked repeatedly if she would denounce the leak, or if she would be upset if she was in Hergenrother’s position.

Bolon repeatedly said she had to refer questions to Scarlette Bouder, communications director for the House Democratic Caucus races.

Bouder repeatedly blamed the leak on county Republicans.

Johnson said that even before hearing from BCI, the public has a right to answers from Bolon.

His questions include:

UWhen Bolon first knew of the leaked story.

UWho first contacted Bolon about the Salem Police Department report.

UIf either Greg Oesch, Salem’s deputy safety director, or anybody at the Salem Police Department is involved in her campaign.

UWhen and with whom did Bolon discuss the leaked information with the House Democratic Caucus?

UDid she or the House Democratic Caucus forward information on the leak to a local reporter?

Johnson asked in his news release, “Will you take a lie-detector test, if requested — administered by an independent party — to verify your responses to these and related questions?”

wilkinson@vindy.com