After $60,000 podcast payment, lawmakers seek guardrails for JobsOhio
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — After JobsOhio paid $60,000 to a podcaster learned to be a romantic relationship with former Ohio State President Ted Carter, lawmakers are seeking more guardrails for the group.
State Reps. Tristan Rader (D-Lakewood) and Justin Pizzulli (R-Scioto County) introduced the JobsOhio Transparency Act on Thursday to require it to publicly disclose all partnerships. Pizzulli and Rader said the bill responds to concerns about the entity’s investments in the wake of Carter’s abrupt resignation after helping podcaster Krisanthe Vlachos secure public funding for her private business. See previous coverage of JobsOhio and Carter in the video player above.
JobsOhio was created by the state in 2011 as a nonprofit group designed to promote business and job creation growth for the state using funds from Ohio liquor sales. All liquor stores in Ohio go to a private entity, the JobsOhio Beverage System, which funds JobsOhio’s projects.
As a private entity that manages state projects, JobsOhio is not subject to the same reporting requirements as government agencies. The bill would change that and require JobsOhio to publicize all spending and investments. The bill would also increase requirements for auditing the company, and ensure future extensions of the JobsOhio liquor arrangement are competitive.
“The state’s multi-billion-dollar liquor franchise should be creating good-paying jobs for everyday Ohioans, not catering to the whims of the wealthy and well-connected,” Rader said. “The resignation of former OSU President Ted Carter is a national embarrassment, and Ohioans deserve answers about JobsOhio’s involvement.”
Carter resigned abruptly this month after the Ohio State Board of Trustees said it learned of an inappropriate relationship between him and Vlachos. Vlachos hosts The Callout Podcast about veterans and electrical lineman, and it frequently featured Carter, a decorated military veteran.
The pair also attended out of state conferences together, and Vlachos contracted with university-owned WOSU’s studios to record. University records show she contracted to pay WOSU nearly $94,000 to produce 50 podcast episodes. Records show she ended up billed for just three, paying a bit over $6,500 to WOSU for camera work, set up and teardown.
JobsOhio said Carter approached the agency to recommend sponsoring The Callout Podcast as a means of engaging Ohio’s military residents. JobsOhio contracted Vlachos to produce four episodes at $15,000 each. JobsOhio paid Vlachos $60,000, but only one podcast was created. JobsOhio said it is looking to claw back its money.
Rader and Pizzulli said Carter’s resignation was the tipping point for their new legislation, but argued it built on years of concerns about JobsOhio investments. The representatives said only 25% of JobsOhio’s economic incentives have spurred financial growth for the state that would not have otherwise happened.
“The people of Southern Ohio deserve a fair shake from JobsOhio, and even after a years-long relationship full of promises, communities like mine have yet to see the job creation or investment they deserve,” Pizzulli said. “There must be public accountability and real transparency to deliver results for our constituents.”
JobsOhio Press Secretary Matt Englehart said the entity does not typically comment on pending legislation. However, he said JobsOhio is committed to open communication wherever possible and has won multiple national recognitions for its transparency.
“JobsOhio has also sought to demonstrate this commitment in recent days through our swift and transparent disclosure of JobsOhio’s interactions with entities associated with former Ohio State President Ted Carter,” Englehart said.
JobsOhio’s website claims it goes above and beyond the transparency requirements for private nonprofits. JobsOhio said it keeps negotiations quiet to protect client confidentiality and Ohio’s competitiveness, but publishes information once deals are completed.
JobsOhio also has its financial statements audited annually and reviewed quarterly, posted online. The audits do not detail individual grants or contracts. JobsOhio does publicize all grants agreements but does not share contract agreements like the one it made with Vlachos.
“JobsOhio remains committed to sharing as much information as possible with the public and policymakers, while maintaining Ohio’s competitive advantage when seeking to attract economic development investments to Ohio,” Englehart said.
Carter and Vlachos’ relationship is still under investigation by the university. It is unclear what role, if any, JobsOhio will play in the investigation. Former provost Ravi Bellamkonda replaced Carter as OSU’s president and will likely have little involvement in the investigation.