Ohio 'Coingate' report unseen after nearly 2 years

COLUMBUS (AP) — Ohio’s government watchdog has yet to fulfill a promise made nearly two years ago to release an investigative report on the investment scandal that engulfed the state in 2005.

The Blade in Toledo reports the inspector general’s office says there’s no timeline for the release and won’t comment further, citing a policy of not discussing investigations until reports are issued.

Inspector General Randall Meyer pledged in early 2012 to complete the report left unissued by his predecessor who oversaw the investigation into the scandal dubbed “Coingate.”

Former coin dealer and Republican fundraiser Tom Noe (NOH’-ee) is serving an 18-year prison sentence for stealing from a $50 million rare-coin fund he oversaw for the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. The scandal led to 19 convictions, including then-Gov. Bob Taft.