Francis E. Gaul (August 8, 1924 - September 15, 2013[1]) was an American politician of the Democratic party. He was the Treasurer of Cuyahoga County, Ohio from 1976 to 1995.
Gaul started his career as a city councilman in Cleveland, Ohio, representing a predominantly Irish-Catholic ward on the west side.[citation needed]
Treasurer of Cuyahoga County
editGaul served as Treasurer of Cuyahoga County from 1975 to 1996.[2][3]
In 1994, The Plain Dealer reported that Gaul had made risky investments using county funds through the Secured Assets Fund Earnings (SAFE) investment pool. When the investment pool collapsed, the county lost $115 million.[4] In 1997, Gaul was acquitted by the Ohio Court of Appeals of any criminal wrongdoing in association with SAFE. The court overturned Gaul's conviction by an inferior court for "dereliction of duty", for which he had been sentenced to 90 days in jail.[2]
In 1989, Gaul was criticized for appearing in radio advertisements in which he endorsed certificates of deposits at Transohio Saving Bank. Gaul said he had been paid for the advertisements but donated the payment to charity.[3]
Other political offices and candidacies
editGaul also served on Cleveland City Council and on the board of the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority.[5]
In 1994, Gaul was the Democratic nominee who unsuccessfully challenged incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Martin R. Hoke.[6] In 1982, he was a candidate in the Democratic Primary for Ohio Secretary of State,[7] won by Sherrod Brown.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Francis e. Gaul, long-time Cuyahoga County treasurer, dies: News obituary". 16 September 2013.
- ^ a b Ewinger, James; Rutchick, Joel (22 March 1997). "Gaul wins appeal of criminal conviction says fund's collapse involved no crime". The Plain Dealer. Advance Publications.
- ^ a b "Bank ads by Cuyahoga Treasurer being questioned over propriety". Akron Beacon Journal (from Associated Press). 13 March 1989.
- ^ Shingler, Dan (1995-08-21). "SAFE: The Blame Game: County Now Dubs Once Highly Touted Investment Team Vulnerable Novices". Crain's Cleveland Business. Archived from the original on 2011-07-08. Retrieved 2010-03-11.
- ^ Flynn, Adrianne (19 February 1991). "Treasurer's stakes high, but qualifications low". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved 13 March 2010.
- ^ "Scrappy freshman, open seat race spice Ohio politics". The Bryan Times. 30 July 1994. Retrieved 12 March 2010.
- ^ "Kucinich Enters Race for Secretary of State". Toledo Blade. 26 March 1982. Retrieved 13 March 2010.