Mahoning Republicans cited for illegal alcohol purchase

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Mahoning County Republican Party “illegally” spent $60 on alcoholic beverages, according to a review by the Ohio auditor of the party’s financial records.

The party paid for alcoholic beverages from its restricted funds. The party isn’t permitted under state law to use money from its restricted account — which goes toward party operations — to purchase alcoholic beverages.

The liquor was for a joint fundraiser with the Trumbull County Republican Party last year at the Avalon Country Club at Squaw Creek in Vienna to raise money for its restricted funds, said Mark Munroe, Mahoning Republican chairman.

The event featured John Kasich, the Republican candidate for governor, he said.

After being told by the auditor’s office about the finding for recovery, the party wrote a check on April 26 from its general campaign account to its restricted account.

A month ago, the auditor’s office issued a $145 finding for recovery against the Mahoning County Democratic Party for the same violation.