City Hall Lobbyist Now Off Two Franklin County Boards

The lobbyist named in Columbus’ red-light camera bribery scandal will no longer hold seats on two county boards. Franklin County officials say city hall lobbyist John Raphael’s four-year term on the Convention Facilities Authority board expired last Saturday. Raphael on Monday resigned as chair of the Franklin County Veterans Memorial board. Former Redflex CEO Karen Finley told federal investigators in June she funneled money to Columbus officials through Raphael. She pleaded guilty to a federal bribery charge. Federal court documents indicate Redflex money was funnelled by Raphael to the campaigns of City Council President Andy Ginther, Mayor Michael Coleman and former Council President Mike Mentel. Ginther, Coleman and Mental have not been charged in the case.