Full Report On Rep. Michael Turner (R-OH)
Report Exhibits
News Stories
- Congressman Turner Slams Paper After Story on $1,435 Camera Purchase
June 1, 2009 - Lawmakers Bill Taxpayers For TVs, Cameras, Lexus
June 1, 2009 - Federal Authorities Raid Top Donor to Ohio Congressmen
February 11, 2009 - Turner Turned away from Polling Place
November 4, 2008 - Turner says he's been good for the district
October 12, 2008
The 20 most corrupt members of Congress
- Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL)
- Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA)
- Rep. John T. Doolittle (R-CA)
- Rep. Tom Feeney (R-FL)
- Rep. Vito J. Fossella (R-NY)
- Rep. William J. Jefferson (D-LA)
- Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA)
- Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-CA)
- Rep. Daniel Lipinski (D-IL)
- Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY)
- Rep. Gary G. Miller (R-CA)
- Rep. Alan B. Mollohan (D-WV)
- Rep. Timothy F. Murphy (R-PA)
- Rep. John P. Murtha (D-PA)
- Rep. Steve Pearce (R-NM)
- Rep. Charles B. Rangel (D-NY)
- Rep. Rick Renzi (R-AZ)
- Rep. Harold Rogers (R-KY)
- Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK)
- Rep. Don Young (R-AK)
Dishonorable mentions
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Rep. Michael Turner (R-OH)
Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH) is a third-term member of Congress, representing Ohio’s 3rd congressional district. Rep. Turner’s ethics issues stem from a no-bid marketing contract that was awarded to his wife from a group that receives federal funding.
The Turner Effect
Rep. Turner’s wife, Lori Turner, is president and CEO of the Turner Effect, a Dayton, Ohio based marketing firm. The Turner Effect was awarded a no-bid contract by Dayton Development Coalition in 2006 to develop and market an advertising campaign. The Dayton Development Coalition lobbies the Miami Valley congressional delegation, which includes Rep. Turner, for federal funds. The coalition paid the Turner Effect $300,000 for the first part of a $1.5 million marketing campaign.
Ms. Turner claimed the Dayton Development Coalition contract presented no conflict of interest because her husband has no affiliation with the coalition and the coalition receives no federal earmarks. FedSpending.org shows, however, that the coalition has received at least $1.2 million in federal funds in fiscal year 2006.
After criticism from the local media, Ms. Turner withdrew her company from the branding campaign in February 2008, before receiving additional funds from the coalition for the second half of the campaign.
Since 2002 staff, members of the board of directors of the Dayton Development Coalition and their families have donated $100,650 to Rep. Turner’s campaign committee.
The House Ethics Committee should investigate whether Ms. Turner secured a contract with the Dayton Development Coalition because of her relationship with Rep. Turner and as part of an effort by the coalition to curry favor with Rep. Turner in order to receive federal earmarks. In addition, by funneling funds to an entity that hired his wife, Rep. Turner may have dispensed special favors in violation of House rules. The Committee should also investigate to determine if Rep. Turner accepted over $100,000 in campaign contributions from the Dayton Development Coalition in return for earmarking federal funds in violation of 5 U.S.C. § 7353 and House Rule 23.
