The Ohio Republican Party headquarters on the corner of 5th Street and Rich Street in downtown Columbus appeared on the list of liens for sale next month because taxes on them had not been paid in full. Franklin County’s treasurer spokesman Bob Vitale said the properties on that list have been lagging behind for some time.
“If someone is in debt for more than 18 months, the property is eligible for this sale,” he said
Vitale said the Ohio Republican Party paid no tax in the second half of 2019, paid no tax in 2020, and paid no tax in the first half of that calendar year. The ORP paid a total of $ 48,938.01 in August but still owed a total of $ 3,501.92 in outstanding fees and appraisals.
The Ohio Public Radio Statehouse News Bureau contacted the party Thursday morning to see why it was on the list. Vitale said payment for the remaining $ 3,501.92 was made around 1:30 p.m. today, a few hours after the Statehouse News Bureau first contacted the party. Vitale said the payment means the party’s tax bill is now up to date.
The party’s communications director Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement that she was unaware of the outstanding property taxes. They said the remaining amount paid on Thursday were special charges that were not listed on any invoice.
Ohio Democratic Party spokesman Matt Keyes said the pending property taxes raise questions about former Ohio Republican Party chair Jane Timken, who left the role earlier this year to run for the U.S. Senate.
“It is clear that Jane Timken has some serious questions to answer about her time as chairman and how she handles the party’s finances,” Keyes said in a statement. “If Jane can’t manage the Ohio Republican Party’s budget effectively, how can she be trusted with US taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars?”
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