Step by Step Into Oblivion

Wedren Report Tells All-and Nothing

By Robert H. Snyder

Plain Dealer Columbus Bureau Chief

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COLUMBUS Atty. Gen. William J. Brown has done it again.

In an unprecedented move Gov. John J. Gilligan last week released for public scrutiny a long report by the attorney general's staff on its sevenmonth probe of alleged irregularities at the Ohio Division of Securities.

The report, which Brown never dreamed would be made public, is a step-by-step record of his investigation.

SNYDER

Brown began with an intensive look into the activities of then State Securities Commissioner Gerald E. Wedren, who was at the time also acting commerce director under Gilligan.

BROWN CHECKED thoroughly into Wedren's background and in particular his business dealings with Charter Oaks Mobile Homes, Inc., of Mineral Ridge in Trumbull County.

Brown concluded that Wedren, before joining the Gilligan administration, violated three state securities laws, violations which are felonies and carry prison terms.

In a politically sensitive move, Brown transmitted all this to Gilligan in writing last Dec. 6 and recommended Wedren's removal. Wedren resigned Feb. 9.

But much of the rest of Brown's report is nothing more than a fruitless chase after rumors, tips and gossip.

The report at one point hints at a homosexual affair between two people under investigation. (Not Wedren.) At another point it refers to a division investigator harassing a secretary at a company he was investigating in an attempt to get a drinking date with her.

THE REPORT BULGES with accusations, many of which dissolve under further inspection.

But some accusations are mentioned and never pursued. For example, a story is included in which Mr. X quotes former government official Y that law firm Z represents companies tied to the "syndicate." But this is never looked into.

While all this is going on, Brown's investigators stopped dead after a one-attempt look into the most politically explosive allegation they encountered.

Brown's investigators were aware of an allegation that a prominent Ohio law firm with political connections attempted a $500,000 shakedown of a businessman dealing with the securities division.

BROWN'S PEOPLE went to the alleged accuser. He would not talk so they quit looking.

"It was a matter of priorities,” said E. Joel Wesp, the assistant attorney general who coordinated the investigation and wrote the report. He said he felt investigators had more chance of proving other allegations where there was more substantiation.

Other political figures are in the report. Hamilton County Democratic Co-Chairman John A. Wiethe is mentioned.

Brown's investigators wanted to know why a Columbus businessman who said he never hired Wiethe, received a $5,000 bill from Wiethe for legal services. The bill was dated June 17, 1971, and was for "services rendered" before the securities division.

BROWN'S REPORT gives differing versions of this matter and ends up by saying Wiethe refused to give Brown a full account of the affair. The probe stopped there.

Brown explained that he was just working on the probe at the governor's request. He said he does not have subpoena power and went as far as he could. He said it is up to the governor to act on the report.

Perhaps overwhelmed by the extremes to which the report went, Gilligan acted by making it public.

Brown concluded that exclusive of the Charter Oaks matter, there was no criminal violation of law by securities division employes.

The whole problem with the report is that Brown did not pursue everything with the vigor he used to look into Charter Oaks.

Brown tried to investigate too much with a small, ill-equipped staff which frequently went on fishing expeditions.

Perhaps worst of all is Brown's admission that has never even read the complete report. The taxpayers of Ohic deserve more for their money.