SOS/Bennett Hearing Moved to April 9th

From the Secretary of State's Office:

 

For Immediate Release

 

Columbus, OH - March 29, 2007 - The state's chief elections officer, Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner announced today that the hearing to address the removal of Robert Bennett, the remaining Cuyahoga County Board of Elections member, from his post will be delayed by one week.

Hearing officer William Owen, the first assistant prosecuting attorney of Delaware County, notified Secretary Brunner today that the hearing on the complaint against Bennett will be continued to Monday, April 9 at 9:00 a.m. at Euclid City Hall Council Chambers, 585 E. 222nd St., Euclid in Cuyahoga County.

Bennett, now represented by legal counsel from Cincinnati and Columbus, hired by Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason at Bennett's request.

Today, Bennett's attorneys filed suit in Franklin County Common Pleas Court to enjoin the Secretary of State from proceeding against Bennett and to declare the law allowing for his removal unconstitutional. By agreement of the parties the April 2nd hearing was postponed til April 9.

The assigned judge in the Franklin County matter is out of town until next week, and the status and scheduling of that litigation may be more clear at that time.

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Media contacts:

Patrick Gallaway, Director of Communications (614) 752-2450

Jeff Ortega, Assistant Director of Communications-Media (614) 466-0473.