Questions linger over Mandel’s auto accident

Assoc iated Press

COLUMBUS

Ohio Republican Josh Mandel’s federal campaign committee has yet to report receiving an insurance check for a vehicle disabled in a March wreck, an Associated Press review of campaign finance filings shows.

The absence of a reported payment months after the accident involving the Ohio state treasurer and failed U.S. Senate candidate adds to questions surrounding the crash. It involved a vehicle owned by Mandel’s 2012 Senate campaign months after he’d lost his high-profile bid to unseat Democrat Sherrod Brown.

Since using a Senate campaign vehicle to run for state office is prohibited, Mandel’s state treasurer campaign says it rented the SUV from the federal campaign. The rental payment came June 30, after the vehicle had been totaled.

A state campaign representative questioned Thursday couldn’t immediately provide the status of any insurance claim.

The State Highway Patrol reported the 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee was disabled and towed after the March 5 accident near Toledo. Mandel’s campaign has said it was totaled. A vehicle history report on the SUV indicates no activity since then.