Crites' election complaint to be heard after Nov. 4

An elections complaint filed by attorney general candidate Mike Crites against opponent Richard Cordray will not be heard by the Ohio Elections Commission before Election Day.

Crites' complaint is that Cordray accepted money that was allegedly laundered from a wealthy Wachovia Securities trader to his step daughter before being donated to Cordray, and allegedly exceeded campaign contribution limits.

OEC executive director Phil Richter said this issue is not one that requires the commission to automatically expedite its hearing. 

"It's been the commission's historic position not to expedite those matters," he said.

Richter said the commission will send notices to Cordray; Cordray's campaign committee; Montford Will, the bond trader; Lindsey Kuty, Will's step daughter whose name the donation was made in and the unidentified mother of Kuty.

Cordray has returned the $10,000 donation from the trader after being accused of taking the money and then giving state Treasurer's work to Will. Cordray said there was no quid pro quo.

Cordray's campaign has threatened to file an OEC complaint against Crites for money he took from a paint company after he announced he would drop a lawsuit against paint companies if elected as attorney general.