No, not that one.
Gary Coleman is a Strickland-appointed trustee at Shawnee State.
He’s also best friends and a labor ally of Richard Murray, the target of the Ohio Inspector General’s report released this morning. Coleman was reported to join Murray on a number of the meetings discussed in the IG report.
And he also sounds like a bit of a psychopath.
From the report:
Gary Coleman, a business manager for Laborers Union Local 83 in Scioto County, showed up at the Clay school building site and confronted the owner of Solid Rock Construction Services. The Portsmouth merit shop was doing site preparation work that included building a permanent retaining wall. Coleman accused Solid Rock of subcontracting out the work to a company that used illegal immigrants. At the job site, Coleman shouted profanities at the owner within earshot of several people. According to accounts from Solid Rock owner Bill Whitaker and two employees, Coleman declared war on Solid Rock and referred to the workers as Mexican n—-rs. Coleman also mocked Whitakers devout Christianity by shouting f–k your Jesus.
And in a letter from the Superintendent of the Clay Local School District:
It continued…
Oh, and then there’s that bit about the $20,000 bribe offered to a candidate for Commissioner in Scioto County:
On May 4, 2010, Carl Pertuset won the Republican primary for the Scioto County Commissioner race. That night at the courthouse, Gary Coleman introduced himself to the victorious Pertuset and, according to Pertuset, told him he would find $20,000 in his lap if he would support the union. Pertuset replied that he supported all workers, and Coleman withdrew the offer and walked away. The Scioto County sheriff heard and verified the conversation. Coleman, in an interview with this office, acknowledged making the offer, although he said it may have been for $15,000. Coleman said he was not offering cash, but merely offering to raise campaign contributions for Pertuset.
Of course you were, Gary.
Remember, Coleman is a Strickland appointee.
The Governor can ask for his resignation or fire him at anytime he so chooses.
And that time should be now.
UPDATE: Despite his name still being listed on their website, I’ve been informed Gary Coleman did resign his position as a Shawnee State trustee in July. Boy, I can’t imagine why. The timing is interesting. After all, the Clay School District Superintendent sent his letter to Strickland way back in February. And yet, Strickland did nothing until the IG report was nearing completion and he knew it would come out in the report. Shameful.
I’ve been told his resignation letter simply said, “I f__ing resign.” Ha.
