TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) - A major GOP donor was charged with giving thousands of dollars to other people to contribute to President Bush (website - news - bio ) 's re-election campaign in an attempt to skirt a $2,000 limit on individual contributions. Tom Noe, a coin dealer already embroiled in an Ohio state government scandal, was charged in a federal indictment Thursday with illegally funneling $45,400 to the president's re-election bid through two dozen friends and associates.
"It's one of the most blatant and excessive finance schemes we have encountered," said Noel Hillman, section chief of the U.S. Department of Justice's public integrity section.
Calls to the White House and Noe's attorneys were not immediately returned. Prosecutors said the Bush campaign has cooperated with their investigation.
He has acknowledged that up to $13 million is missing, and Ohio's attorney general has accused him of stealing as much as $6 million. No charges have been filed in that case, though state officials say they plan to do so.
Prosecutors would not reveal the names of the people to whom Noe gave money to contribute or say if any of them would be charged. The indictment said Noe and those who gave his money to Bush had conspired together to violate the contribution limits.
An investigation into Noe's coin investments led to ethics charges against Taft for failing to report golf outings and other gifts. The governor pleaded no contest in August and was fined $4,000.
Noe's attorney, Bill Wilkinson, said in a statement that Noe's surrender was complicated by the fact that Noe was in South Florida and that many courthouses there were still closed because of Hurricane Wilma.
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