Elections panel to hear congresswoman’s complaint

COLUMBUS (AP) — The Ohio Elections Commission will hear a Cincinnati congresswoman’s complaint over comments an opponent made during the 2008 campaign.

Republican U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt claims David Krikorian violated election law when he accused her of taking money from Turkish political interests to deny that the mass killings of Armenians during World War I equaled genocide. Krikorian is Armenian-American.

A ruling is possible today. At an earlier commission hearing, Schmidt’s attorney denied Krikorian’s claims.

Krikorian, who plans to run against Schmidt again next year, says his free speech rights are being challenged.

Federal records show Schmidt received $3,300 from the Turkish American Heritage Political Action Committee between January and October 2008.