Dennis Leone's reponse to Gary Hollow's comments: Hollow and OEA are missing the point

From Dennis Leone, February 11, 2007
(Response to Gary Hollow)

Perhaps someone should point out to OEA-blind Gary Hollow that STRS pension money was used to buy that dinner at Lindey's for Ramser. He is conveniently leaving this out of his "follow-up." The reason I brought up the whole thing at a Board meeting was that STRS had paid for it.......and Hollow knows this is why I brought it up. Ramser's comment about not being reimbursed in the recent past -- this means nothing because the Lindey's bill was paid by an STRS-purchased credit card. I don't imagine when Jack Chapman spent $35,000 all by himself in 1995 (flying all around the country, staying in the nation's most expensive hotels, buying meals at lavish restaurants) that he was reimbursed one nickel. He didn't have to be. He used an STRS-purchased credit card. OEA and Hollow just refuse to understand these things.

Like I have said many times, had it been Leone and Lazares with STRS-purchased credit cards, $48 dinners, fax machines in their homes, personal long distance phone calls paid for, extra nights of lodging, etc., OEA and Hollow would be singing a different tune. Lindey's, by the way, is the place Herb Dyer took 7 board members and 3 staff members to for dinner AFTER a board meeting once in 2002. The bill for STRS for that one dinner and the booze associated it? Merely $987.00. (I have the receipt.) OEA and Hollow can't see the forest for the trees on this entire matter.

Dennis Leone
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Posted by Gary Hollow on Ohio STRS Watch blog
Monday, February 05, 2007

Ramser Dined at Lindy's

In November Dr. Leone questioned Chairman Rasmer about a dinner at the upscale Columbus eatery Lindy’s that she denied having ever been in.

Dr Leone showed me a copy of a voucher from Debbie Scott listing Conni Ramser eating with her at Lindy's in December of 2004 with a bill of $60.

Chairman Ramser’s response:

I didn't remember having dinner there, but I must have. However, my vouchers for the last two years have not reflected any meals for which I have been reimbursed by STRS.
Conni Ramser

posted by Gary Hollow at 11:35 AM