Report: Lima native up for attorney general run

LIMA - An Allen County native will reportedly be the state Republican nominee for attorney general.

D. Michael Crites, a former U.S. attorney and a 1966 Shawnee High School graduate and 1978 Ohio Northern University graduate, will be nominated by the Ohio Republican Party to run against state Treasurer Richard Cordray for attorney general, according to The Columbus Dispatch and Dayton Daily News citing sources they did not name. The party will make the news official today.

Allen County Republican Party Chairman Keith Cheney would not comment on the specific choice of Crites, but said Republicans were meeting Tuesday night and would have an announcement of a candidate this afternoon.

GOP political director Jason Mauk told The Associated Press that he wouldn't confirm the report of Crites but said the party will have an announcement soon. A message seeking comment was left Tuesday for Crites.

Democrat Marc Dann resigned earlier this year following scandals involving sexual harassment and mismanagement of the office.

Crites is a private practice attorney in Columbus. After earning a bachelor's degree from the U.S. Naval Academy and his law degree, Crites joined the local law firm of Robenalt, Daley, Balyeat and Balyeat in 1978.

Crites served as an assistant county prosecutor under former prosecutor David Bowers.

He served as a U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Ohio from 1986 to 1993, during which time he said his most publicized case was the prosecution of Cincinnati Reds manager Pete Rose, according to a 1993 The Lima News story. Rose pleaded guilty to filing false tax returns and served five months in prison. He admitted he failed to report $354,968 in income from autograph appearances, memorabilia sales and gambling, the AP said.

Crites later served as an assistant prosecutor for Delaware County.