Mayor marries couples for free _ how about a campaign donation?

[The Straight Story]

Mayor marries couples for free _ how about a campaign donation?


VALLEY VIEW, Ohio (AP) -- The mayor will marry couples for free - but perhaps the bride and groom might consider a donation to his campaign fund?

Mayor Randall Westfall's e-mail reference to donations landed him in trouble Tuesday, with state Auditor Mary Taylor referring the matter to the Ohio Ethics Commission.

"Ceremony is at No Charge," the suburban Cleveland mayor said in a 2006 e-mail, "however, sometimes people choose to donate to my campaign (no more than $50)."

Taylor cited Westfall for two violations of state law: Soliciting a donation for village work and failing to turn over such donations to the village.

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