Business First: 4 from STRS convicted on ethics violations

Business First of Columbus - 3:36 PM EDT Wednesday [09/20/06]

Four former State Teachers Retirement System board members were convicted Tuesday of ethics law conflict-of-interest violations in Franklin County Municipal Court.

Charged with the misdemeanors were Eugene Norris, whose term on the board ended in August 2004, Deborah Scott and Joe Endry whose terms concluded August 2005; and Michael Billirakis, who resigned Sept. 15.

The violations stemmed from board members and their spouses accepting $275 in theater tickets from Frank Russell Corp./Russell Real Estate Advisors in 2003 for a Broadway performance. The board members were in New York on a tour of STRS's investment properties and an itinerary to the board members identified Russell was hosting the theater event.

Ohio ethics law prohibits public officials and employees from accepting goods or services of substantial value from people or organizations doing business with public organizations, seeking to do business them or that are regulated by public agencies. The Russell firm managed real estate investments for STRS.

Billirakis, Norris and Scott each were ordered to perform 60 hours of community service, pay fines of $250 and repay the cost of the tickets they accepted. Endry, who already repaid Frank Russell for the tickets he and his wife received, was ordered to perform 30 hours of community service and pay a $250 fine.

Three other STRS officials were earlier convicted on ethics charges. The Franklin County Prosecutor has indicated the recent convictions close the action against former STRS board members, but an investigation into the conduct of senior retirement system officials continues.