Review IDs safeguards against future crimes at Ohio treasury

COLUMBUS (AP) — An independent internal review finds other individuals inside Ohio treasury knew or should have known that a former deputy treasurer was committing fraud and suggests safeguards against future wrongdoing.

The report issued today addresses activities of Amer Ahmad in 2009 and 2010, under then-Treasurer Kevin Boyce, a Columbus Democrat.

Current Treasurer Josh Mandel, a Republican, ordered the investigation after Ahmad’s 2013 indictment in a bribery scheme. Ahmad and three others have since gone to federal prison in the pay-to-play scheme. A Boston bank agreed last month to pay $12 million to the federal government for its role.

Independent reviewer Baker Hostetler recommends the treasury add more employees with financial expertise, disclose transaction costs and require contractors to certify they haven’t given anything in exchange for state business.