Gov. Strickland won’t see anti-slots group’s supporters

COLUMBUS (AP) — The Ohio Supreme Court has denied a request to allow the governor’s staff to see who’s underwriting a group challenging new racetrack slot machines.

The high court ruled today that LetOhioVote.org does not have to turn over records of its contributors, as Gov. Ted Strickland’s budget and lottery offices had asked.

Justice Paul Pfeifer dissented, noting that LetOhioVote.org made the issue of its finances relevant by bringing them up in a lawsuit challenging the slots-like video lottery terminals.

The administration wanted to see whether casino interests were backing the anti-slots effort. A spokesman for the group has said no casino operator has yet donated.