>> WELCOME TO "COLUMBUS ON THE RECORD," I'M MIKE THOMPSON.

OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY HAS ITS THIRD PRESIDENT IN THREE YEARS.

> >> TURMOIL IN THE OSU PRESIDENT'S OFFICE.

>> WELCOME TO "COLUMBUS ON THE RECORD," I'M MIKE THOMPSON.

OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY HAS ITS THIRD PRESIDENT IN THREE YEARS.

OUT OF NOWHERE OSU PRESIDENT, TED CARTER, RESIGNED LAST WEEKEND AT A PRIVATE EMERGENCY BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING.

SOMEONE TOLD THE BOARD OF AN INAPPROPRIATE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CARTER AND A WOMAN SEEKING TO USE PUBLIC BENEFITS FOR HER PERSONAL BUSINESS.

CARTER ACKNOWLEDGED THE RELATIONSHIP AND QUIT.

>> AS YOU MIGHT IMAGINE, THE BOARD WAS SURPRISED.

DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED, AND REALLY SADDENED TO LEARN OF THAT SITUATION AND THE STRESS TO CONSIDER CONSEQUENCES TO THE UNIVERSITY.

>> IT APPEARS THE WOMAN HOSTED A VETERANS EMPLOYMENT PODCAST WHERE TED CARTER APPEARED FREQUENTLY.

THE HOST, KRISANTHE VLACHOS, PRODUCED THE PODCAST IN THIS STUDIO AS A PAYING PRIVATE CLIENT OF WOSU.

>> WE DO NOT KNOW THE NATURE OF THE RELATIONSHIP.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PUBLIC BENEFITS WERE.

IT HAD TO HAVE BEEN SERIOUS FOR THIS TO HAPPEN SO FAST.

>> YEAH, I CAN'T BELIEVE IT HAS TO DO WITH A SINGLE PODCAST.

I DID FIND OUT WHEN GOVERNOR DEWINE GAVE THE STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

I WENT DOWN TO THE STATE HOUSE AND TRIED TO TALK TO VARIOUS PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND I FOUND JP, THE PRESIDENT OF JOBS OHIO.

HE SAID THAT PRESIDENT CARTER, NOW FORMER PRESIDENT CARTER INTRODUCED HIM AND ALSO RETIRED GENERAL, JOHN C HARRIS, WHO IS THE DIRECTOR OF VETERAN AFFAIRS FOR THE STATE.

CARTER MADE THE INTRODUCTION FOR HIM AS WELL.

ALREADY, THERE'S A COUPLE OF ENTRY POINTS WHERE HE WAS, YOU KNOW, HELPING HER MAKE CONNECTIONS.

>> IT WAS MORE THAN JUST INTRODUCTIONS.

JOBS OHIO CONTRACTED TO PAY $60,000 FOR FOUR EPISODES OF THE PODCAST.

THEY ONLY PRODUCED ONE, I BELIEVE.

>> SURE, AND JOBS OHIO IS TRYING TO --I GUESS THEY PREPAID, SO THEY ARE TRYING TO CLAW THE MONEY BACK.

IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT HE MADE A PITCH FOR AN APP, HAVING TO DO WITH USING AI TO CONNECT VETERANS WITH JOBS IN THE UTILITY INDUSTRY.

JOHN HARRIS SAID THAT WASN'T RIGHT FOR THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN SERVICES, SO THEY DECLINED.

SHE MADE A SIMILAR PITCH TO JOBS OHIO.

>> HE HAD JUST GOTTEN A RAISE.

JUST GOT A BONUS.

HE WAS DRAWING SOME CRITICISM FROM CAMPUS, BUT ALSO DRAWING PRAISE FOR KEEPING THE UNIVERSITY UNDER THE RADAR.

ESPECIALLY UNDER THE RADAR OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

HIS FALL CAME SO SUDDEN.

>> IT WAS SUDDEN.

WHEN YOU ARE TANGLED UP THAT WAY AND YOU SEE PICTURES IN THE NEW YORK POST OF THE TWO OF THEM AND HER IN A LEATHER OUTFIT OUT AT THE BROADMORE LUXURY RESORT IN COLORADO SPRINGS, IT RAISES EVEN MORE QUESTIONS.

SO, I UNDERSTAND A LOT OF THE LOCAL MEDIA HAS A NUMBER OF PUBLIC RECORDS REQUESTS ON TRAVEL AND PHONE CALLS AND E- MAILS AND SO I THINK THERE IS MORE TO COME.

WE SHOULD FIND OUT MORE.

WHEN YOU'RE AT THAT LEVEL OF PRESIDENT OF OHIO STATE, PEOPLE KNOW YOU AND YOU ARE UNDER SCRUTINY AND YOU AUGHT TO BEHAVE ACCORDINGLY.

>> WHEN YOU ARE PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY, YOU KIND OF CAN FLY UNDER THE RADAR.

IN THIS TOWN, YOU ARE PRESIDENT OF OHIO STATE, YOU ARE SERIOUSLY A PUBLIC FIGURE.

>> YOU ARE A PUBLIC FIGURE.

IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO PROBABLY LET HIM GO.

EVERYWHERE BUT THE WHITE HOUSE, THIS SEEMS TO MATTER, BY THE WAY.

BUT WHAT I WOULD SAY IS IT LEAVES MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW THIS COULD HAPPEN.

THE FACT THAT JOBS OHIO IS A PRIVATE ENTITY THAT IS GETTING PUBLIC FUNDS.

IT'S GETTING LIQUOR CONTROL FUNDS.

>> TRYING TO MAKE IT MORE TRANSPARENT.

>> IT'S NOT TRANSPARENT, THE FACT THERE WERE $60,000 PAID, WHICH IS QUITE A BIT FOR A PODCAST.

I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THAT BEFORE.

THE QUESTION BECOMES HOW MANY JOBS WERE ACTUALLY CREATED.

HOW WAS THIS GOING TO CREATE JOBS?

WAS THERE UNDUE INFLUENCE FROM THE PRESIDENT WITH JOBS OHIO TO GET THIS DONE?

THERE'S JUST A MYRIAD OF QUESTIONS ABOUT WHY THIS DIDN'T GET CAUGHT AND TRAPPED ORIGINALLY.

>> WHY NOT PLACE HIM ON LEAVE?

HE RESIGNED.

THERE IS AN INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY.

IT'S NOT DONE YET, WE DON'T KNOW THE RESULT.

WHY NOT SUSPEND HIM AND LET THE INVESTIGATION RUN ITS COURSE AND THEN RESIGN OR FIRE HIM?

>> IF YOU SUSPEND HIM, ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST AND THE INQUIRY THE MEDIA DOES WILL HAPPEN REGARDLESS.

I WILL SAY IN CONTRACTS FOR COACHES, CEOs, UNIVERSITY PRESIDENTS, ALMOST STANDARD LANGUAGE IS A MORALS CLAUSE, AND YOU KNOW, YOU CAN'T BE DRUNK IN PUBLIC.

YOU CAN'T HAVE INAPPROPRIATE RELATIONSHIPS, AND POSSIBLY VIOLATING ETHICS LAWS.

YOU CAN'T, YOU KNOW, LIKE THE COACH UP AT MICHIGAN, VIOLATED THE MORALS CLAUSE.

SO YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT WAS PROBABLY A PLAY AS WELL.

>> KNOWING SOME OF THE TRUSTEES OVER TIME, IF YOU'VE GOT A CANCER AFFECTING OHIO STATE, IT'S BETTER TO CUT IT OUT QUICK AND MOVE ON, BECAUSE IF YOU LET SOMETHING LINGER AND DANGLE, IT MAKES IT WORSE AND WORSE AND WORSE.

>> YOU KNOW, WE NEVER GOT THE FULL STORY AS TO WHY FORMER PRESIDENT CHRISTINA JOHNSON RESIGNED.

MICHAEL DRAKE RETIRED, AND THEN SPENT FIVE YEARS AS PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SYSTEM.

SO WE NEVER GOT THAT FULL STORY EVER.

WILL WE EVER KNOW EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED HERE, DO YOU THINK, LAURA?

>> I MEAN, I INTEND TO FIND OUT, ALONG WITH MY COLLEAGUES AT THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH.

WE'LL FILE PUBLIC RECORDS REQUESTS AND WORK SOURCES AND FIND OUT WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE LEADERSHIP AT OHIO STATE, FLAG SHIP UNIVERSITY THAT IS LEADING TO THESE DISRUPTIONS AND ABRUPT CHANGES.

>> EVEN WITH PUBLIC RECORDS, SOMETIMES WE DON'T KNOW, RIGHT BRIAN?

>> SOMETIMES WE NEVER KNOW.

THE ONLY PERSON THAT HAS BEEN ABLE TO SURVIVE IN THIS ENVIRONMENT IS GORDON GHEE, WHO IS BACK ON CAMPUS, YOU KNOW, IN HIS OTHER ROLE.

I DO THINK THAT THE QUESTION THAT TRUSTEES HAVE TO ASK IS, IF THIS KEEPS HAPPENING, IF WHATEVER THESE ISSUES ARE, WHAT DO YOU DO TO PREVENT THEM IN THE FUTURE?

>> THERE'S ANOTHER FACTOR, PEOPLE THINK EVERYBODY IN THE COUNTRY WANTS TO BE PRESIDENT OF OHIO STATE.

THE REALITY IS, THIS IS ONE OF THE TOUGHEST UNIVERSITY JOBS, BECAUSE YOU'VE GOT $4.

5 BILLION IN THE MEDICAL CENTER ALONE, PLUS ALL THE PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING, LAW, ALL THESE OTHER SCHOOLS AS ONE OFFICIAL OHIO STATE DESCRIBED.

THERE ARE 33 SILOS HERE, AND MANAGING THAT AND GET PEOPLE TO ACT, THIS IS A TOUGH JOB BEING PRESIDENT.

AND THEN THERE'S PEOPLE IN COLUMBUS, THEY ARE LOOKING OUT FOR COLUMBUS' INTEREST, AND THAT ISN'T ALWAYS THE BEST INTEREST OF OHIO STATE.

SO, IT IS A PRESSURE PACKED PRESSURE COOKER.

>> SPEAKING OF THAT, THE LAST TIME OSU REPLACED A PRESIDENT, THREE YEARS AGO, IT TOOK ABOUT A YEAR TO FILL THE SPOT.

THIS TIME IT TOOK ABOUT 100 HOURS.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT WORD LEAKED OUT THAT OSU EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND PROVOST, RAVI BELLAMKONDA, WOULD SUCCEED CARTER PERMANENTLY AS OSU'S PRESIDENT.

BELLAMKONDA HAS BEEN ON CAMPUS FOR A LITTLE MORE THAN A YEAR.

>> I HAVE BEEN HERE A LITTLE MORE THAN 400 DAYS.

I KNOW I HAVE MUCH TO LEARN.

I DO KNOW CONFIDENTLY IS THIS.

WE KNOW HOW TO WIN.

AND EACH OF US AT OHIO STATE, IN THIS ROOM, AND ACROSS OUR BEAUTIFUL STATE, HAVE THE AGENCY TO CREATE THE OHIO STATE WE WANT TO INHABIT.

WE WILL CHOOSE TO EXERCISE THIS AGENCY IN THE SERVICE OF HARD THINGS WORTH DOING FOR THE CITIZENS OF OHIO.

>> BELLAMKONDA HAS A DEEP ACADEMIC RESUME.

HE IS A BIOENGINEER AND NEUROSCIENTIST.

HE CAME TO OHIO STATE FROM EMORY UNIVERSITY IN ATLANTA, WHERE HE SERVED AS PROVOST AND VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS.

TERRY CASEY, WHY DID THIS HAPPEN SO FAST?

NO INTERIM PRESIDENT, JUST TO THE TOP.

>> SOMETIMES IT'S BEST TO CUT IT OUT AND MOVE ON AND DO IT QUICKLY SO IT DOESN'T LINGER.

BUT DEFINITELY, A STRETCHED OUT PROCESS PEOPLE WOULD COMPLAIN THE TRUSTEES ARE TOO SLOW AND LEAVE IN A VACUUM THERE.

AT THE STATE HOUSE, THERE WERE PEOPLE SPECULATING ABOUT JIM TRESSEL, OR GORDON GHEE.

THERE IS SPECULATION AROUND.

THE ACADEMICS ON THE CAMPUS AUGHT TO BE HAPPY YOU HAVE A REAL ACADEMIC THAT UNDERSTANDS THE WHOLE HIGHER EDUCATION AND IS EXPERIENCED THAT WAY.

>> OSU, I MEAN, HE HAS BEEN HERE A LITTLE MORE THAN A YEAR.

OSU IN THE RECENT PRESIDENTIAL SEARCHES HAS NOT HIRED FROM WITHIN, BRIAN.

THIS TIME THEY DID.

>> IT'S A TOUGH ENVIRONMENT TO COME INTO.

YOU HAVE, YOU KNOW, THE LAWSUIT THAT YOU'RE FACED WITH THE WRESTLER SCANDAL, WITH STRAUSS.

YOU HAVE THE SITUATION YOU ARE JUST NOW FACING REPLACING THE PRESIDENT.

YOU HAVE THE PRESSURES ON YOU FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

YOU HAVE THE ISSUE THAT HAPPENED, YOU KNOW, THE FIRST AMENDMENT ISSUE WITH SAM AND CHASE ISSUE, THAT HAPPENED.

YOU HAVE LAWSUITS OVER THE PALESTINIAN PROTESTS.

THOSE ARE --SOME OF THOSE ARE THINGS EVERY CAMPUS WOULD HAVE.

I WOULD THINK THAT MAYBE PART OF THIS IS THEY NEED TO MOVE ON AND GET SOMEBODY IN THERE TO MOVE ON AND YOU CAN'T REALLY HIRE FROM THE OUTSIDE WITHOUT GETTING THAT DONE QUICKLY.

BUT YOU WOULD HOPE THIS PRESIDENT WOULD RESOLVE IT, MAYBE THERE'S EVERYONE SOME SETTLEMENT ON THAT WRESTLER CASE AND SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS.

>> HE SAID IN HIS PRESS CONFERENCE, BASICALLY THE SAME THING CARTER WAS TAKING.

WE'LL TAKE ALL THESE ISSUES SERIOUSLY, WHETHER IT'S NAMES ON THE BUILDINGS OR THE STRAUSS SETTLEMENT LAWSUITS, OR EVEN THE CHALKING ON THE SIDEWALK.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT EVERYTHING AGAIN.

HE WASN'T COMMITTAL ON ANY OF THOSE THINGS.

>> RIGHT, WHAT'S INTERESTING IS TERRY IS RIGHT.

BEING PRESIDENT OF OHIO STATE, YOU ARE RUNNING A SPORTS FRANCHISE.

YOU HAVE A MAJOR MEDICAL CENTER.

ALL THESE ACADEMICS.

AND YOU ALSO HAVE TO SERVE THE CONSTITUENCY OF STUDENTS, FACULTY, AND LEGISLATORS.

I THINK THAT THE OHIO LEGISLATURE HAS BEEN MUCH MORE INVOLVED WITH SENATE BILL ONE, IN TERMS OF HOW THEY SHOULD OPERATE AND SHOULD NOT OPERATE.

I DON'T SUSPECT THAT WILL CHANGE.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW HE MANAGES THAT CONSTITUENCY.

>> THIS IS NOT A PRIVATE UNIVERSITY, 60,000 STUDENTS.

NEARLY 60,000 EMPLOYEES IF YOU COUNT THE MEDICAL CENTER.

IT'S A SMALL TO MEDIUM SIZED CITY.

SHOULDN'T THE LEADER, THE SELECTION OF THE LEADER BE MORE OPEN AND TRANSPARENT THAN IT HAS BEEN?

>> IDEALLY, UNDER OHIO LAW, IT'S THE 12 MEMBER, THE 15 MEMBERS OF THE TRUSTEES WHO HAVE THAT POWER AND THAT RESPONSIBILITY.

SO, CLEARLY, UNTIL THE LEGISLATURE CHANGES THE LAW, THE TRUSTEES ARE THE ONES RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING THOSE DECISIONS.

>> THEY COULD RUN IT DIFFERENTLY.

THEY COULD NAME WHO THE FINALISTS ARE.

>> I REMEMBER WHEN GHEE CAME BACK FOR THE SECOND TIME, THEY WERE GOING AFTER THE PRESIDENT OF ARIZONA STATE.

ONCE THE WORD GOT OUT THEY WERE LOOKING AT HIM, PEOPLE AT ARIZONA STATE UPPED HIS OFFER TO KEEP HIM THERE.

SO IF YOU TRY AND MAKE AN OPEN PROCESS WHERE EVERYONE KNOWS WHO YOU'RE LOOKING AT, SUDDENLY, SOME OF YOUR BEST CANDIDATES DISAPPEAR, BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO GO THROUGH THE MEAT GRINDER OF BEING CONSIDERED AND REJECTED.

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK MORE TRANSPARENCY JUST SERVES THE PUBLIC UNIVERSITY BETTER WHEN YOU KEEP A SYSTEM CLOSED OFF, IT RAISES MORE QUESTIONS.

AND ALSO, YOU KNOW, THE NEW PRESIDENT, HE SAID THAT SUBSET OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEMBERS CAME TO HIM ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON.

SAYING, THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN TOMORROW MORNING AT 10:00 A. M. WE WANT YOU TO CONSIDER STEPPING INTO THE ROLE OF PRESIDENT.

SO IT DIDN'T EVEN TAKE 100 HOURS.

>> IT WAS 24 HOURS.

BUT A DAY.

>> THAT IS HEAD SPINNING.

>> I'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN A LARGE ORGANIZATION THAT HAD, YOU KNOW, A PRESIDENT THAT HAD TO GO IN DISGRACE, AND IT IS -- YOU ARE THROWING SOMEBODY INTO THE WATER AND YOU'RE GOING TO SEE IF THEY CAN SWIM.

AND THE CASE OF THE ORGANIZATION I WAS IN, IT TURNED INTO SOMEBODY THAT ACTUALLY WAS A GOOD PRESIDENT OF THE UNION THAT I WAS IN.

BUT HE'S EITHER GOING TO SINK OR SWIM.

THIS IS GOING TO BE A REAL INTERESTING THING.

IT WAS NOT TRANSPARENT.

>> THE TRUSTEES, TERRY, THE PRESIDENT ANSWERS ALL THE QUESTIONS.

THE TRUSTEES DON'T.

IF THIS ONE DOESN'T GO WELL, DOES PRESSURE COME ON THE TRUSTEES?

SOME OF THESE FOLKS MIGHT NOT BE ON THE BOARD WHEN THE NEXT PRESIDENT IS NAMED.

>> I AM OLD ENOUGH TO GO BACK TO THE 60s AND 70s AND A FEW DIFFERENT MISTAKES.

THERE WAS ANOTHER SCANDAL INVOLVING AN OSU PRESIDENT AND A TRIP TO LONDON.

THERE HAVE BEEN PRESIDENTS THAT HAD DRINKING PROBLEMS.

THERE'S A VARIETY OF ISSUES OVER TIME.

SO, IT'S HARD TO GET IT PERFECT AND HAVE IT WORKING.

BUT WE'LL SEE.

THESE TRUSTEES KNOW THEY'VE MADE SOME MISTAKES IN THE PAST.

HOW DO YOU RIGHT THE SHIP?

>> WE SHALL SEE.

>> SOME STATES SELECT TRUSTEES.

THE VOTERS DO.

>> IN MICHIGAN, ELECTS THE BOARD OF REGIONS.

>> THEY OVERSEE JUST THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN OR ALL THE SYSTEMS?

>> ALL THE SYSTEMS.

>> WE DON'T HAVE --WE HAVE A BOARD OF REGIONS.

>> MICHIGAN STATE, AND WAYNE STATE.

SO, THERE'S NO PERFECT SYSTEM, BECAUSE IT DEPENDS ON THE PEOPLE AND I'D ARGUE THE CURRENT BOARD WITH 15 PLUS MEMBERS IS ALMOST TOO BIG.

WHEN YOU HAD NINE MEMBERS, AS MOST UNIVERSITIES HAVE, THAT'S A SMALLER NUMBER.

IT'S EASIER TO HAVE TRUSTEES BE MORE RESPONSIBLE WHEN IT'S A SMALLER NUMBER.

>> ALL RIGHT.

> >> THE FIRST ENERGY EXECUTIVES' BRIBERY TRIAL NEARS ITS END IN SUMMIT COUNTY.

FORMER CEO, CHUCK JONES, AND FORMER SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, MIKE DOWLING, ARE CHARGED WITH BRIBING THE STATE'S TOP UTILITY REGULATOR AS PART OF THE NUCLEAR BAILOUT SCANDAL.

THIS WEEK THE DEFENSE RESTED ITS CASE, BUT NOT BEFORE CALLING A STAR WITNESS.

US SENATOR, JON HUSTED, TESTIFIED REMOTELY ON WHAT ROLE HE PLAYED AS THEN LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR IN THE SELECTION OF SAM RANDAZZO AS PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION CHAIR.

> >> HE WAS AN ATTORNEY WHO REPRESENTED UTILITIES.

WHO REPRESENTED CONSUMERS.

HE WAS CONSIDERED AN INDUSTRY EXPERT.

>> DID ANY OF THE UTILITIES OTHER THAN FIRST ENERGY ADVOCATE FOR SAM RANDAZZO TO YOUR KNOWLEDGE?

>> NOT TO MY KNOWLEDGE.

>> DID YOU, SIR, PLAY ANY ROLE IN HELPING THE GOVERNOR EVALUATE SAM RANDAZZO AND THE OTHER CANDIDATES FOR THAT POTENTIAL SEAT?

>> I TRIED TO COLLECT AS MUCH INFORMATION AS I COULD TO GIVE TO THE GOVERNOR SO HE COULD MAKE A CHOICE.

>> RANDAZZO WAS UNDER INDICTMENT FOR ACCEPTING A $4.

5 MILLLION DOLLAR BRIBE WHEN HE DIED BY SUICIDE.

HUSTED HAS NOT BEEN CHARGED WITH ANY WRONGDOING.

HE DENIES ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THE CONSPIRACY THAT ALSO PUT THE FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER IN FEDERAL PRISON.

>> THERE WERE NO MOMENTS DURING JOHN HUSTEN'S TESTIMONY.

NO NEWS CAME OUT OF IT.

>> HOWEVER, HE WAS FORCED TO BE ON SCREEN, TALKING ABOUT A SCANDAL THAT IS A BIT EMBARRASSING.

IF I KNOW WASHINGTON PEOPLE WHEN THEY PUT TOGETHER, YOU KNOW, TELEVISION ADS, YOU ARE GOING TO SEE MORE OF IT.

I WOULD SAY THAT IT WAS A BAD WEEK FOR JOHN HUSTED IN GENERAL.

HE HAD A PODCAST WHERE HE WAS MUMBLING AND TRIPPING OVER HIS WORDS ON A PODCAST.

THE WAR, THE NUMBERS ARE GOING DOWN.

THERE WAS A POLL TODAY THAT CAME OUT THAT SHOWED BROWN HAS A FOUR POINT LEAD.

AMY HAS A TEN POINT LEAD.

A NATIONAL POLL SAYS 13% OF AMERICANS DO NOT APPROVE OF THE WAY -- >> THERE'S NOTHING, BASICALLY, HE WAS AT THAT INFAMOUS MEETING RIGHT AFTER DEWINE WAS ELECTED.

REMEMBER THE DINNER, IF YOU REMEMBER.

>> SO, AS A COMMUNICATION PERSON, AND I DID THIS IN COIN GATE.

YOU HAVE TO REALLY STICK TO IT AND YOU HAVE TO REALLY POUND IT.

AND I WILL SAY, I DO THINK THE INITIAL RESPONSE FROM THE PARTY AND FROM THE BROWN CAMPAIGN WAS MUTED.

BUT, GIVEN THE FACT THAT THAT'S GOING TO BE ON TELEVISION, WE'LL SEE HOW THAT PLAYS.

>> HOW BIG OF A PROBLEM WILL THIS BE, TERRY?

>> I REMEMBER BACK TO 1918 WHEN WHALEY WAS GOING TO MAKE HER CAMPAIGN ABOUT HOUSE BILL SIX AND SHE TRIED THAT AND IT WENT NOWHERE.

RIGHT OR WRONG, UTILITY REGULATION, PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE OF HOW THAT AFFECTS THEIR ELECTRIC BILL AND IT IS PRETTY COMPLICATED AND TECHNICAL.

ADMITTED IT WAS A NOTHING BURGER.

>> I WANT TO, IN FAIRNESS, 2018, NOT 1918.

>> I'M SORRY.

I APOLOGIZE.

>> I WAS THINKING, HE WASN'T BORN YET.

>> IT SEEMED LIKE THAT LONG AGO.

>> IT WAS ONLY EIGHT YEARS AGO.

SOME ISSUES ARE EASIER UNDERSTOOD THAN OTHERS.

THIS IS ONE THAT IS COMPLICATED.

>> YOU KNOW, JOHN HUSTED WAS SPEAKING ON GOFF NOR DEWINE'S BEHALF.

HE WAS NOT CALLED TO TESTIFY.

IF ANYONE HAD THE STORY ABOUT HOW SAM WAS SELECTED FOR THE PUCO, WOULD HAVE BEEN GOVERNOR DEWINE.

IS THERE A REASON HE WASN'T CALLED FOR A WITNESS?

IS IT JUST NOT DONE?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

I HAVEN'T BEEN COVERING THE TRIAL IN AKRON.

THEY'VE BEEN DOING A GOOD JOB ON IT.

I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, MAYBE THERE WAS SOME THOUGHT THAT JOHN HUSTEN WAS MORE INVOLVED ON THE UTILITY SIDE OF THINGS.

HE WAS, YOU KNOW, HIS NAME CAME UP IN ALL OF THE EXHIBITS IN THE FEDERAL CASE, PROBABLY AS MUCH OR MAYBE MORE THAN GOVERNOR DEWINE.

HARD TO SAY, RIGHT?

BUT I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, THEY BROUGHT HIM ON.

HE DID HIS BEST TO REALLY SAY AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE AND DON'T MAKE NEWS.

>> THE ATTORNEY'S JOB WAS NOT TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SCANDAL, YOU KNOW, AS A WHOLE.

IT WAS TO EITHER PROVE THEIR DEFENDANT'S INNOCENCE OR PROVE THE ACCUSED GUILT.

>> LIKE I SAID, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THAT GOING ON.

RIGHT NOW, THE OHIO SENATE RACE IS A SNOOZE FEST.

THEY ARE RAISING MONEY.

THERE'S NOT A LOT GOING ON.

THERE'S NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE GOING BACK AND FORTH ON IT.

IT IS GOING TO HEAT UP.

THERE'S A LOT OF MONEY COMING INTO IT.

YOU'RE GOING TO SEE A LOT MORE OF HIM SITTING THERE BEING QUESTIONED.

IT DOESN'T LOOK GOOD.

>> THE TRIAL IS WRAPPING UP.

YOU DID COVER THE TRIAL.

THE EXECUTIVES FOR FIRST ENERGY, ARE NOT GOING TO TESTIFY ON THEIR OWN BEHALF.

SOMETHING THAT LARRY DID.

DO YOU THINK THEY SAW WHAT LARRY DID AND HOW IT TURNED OUT AND DECIDED, YOU KNOW WHAT?

I'M GOING TO PASS.

>> THEY ARE FIGURING THEY HAVE ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT AN ACQUITTAL AND THEY DIDN'T NEED TO TAKE THE RISK OF GOING ON THE STAND.

>> AND THAT JUDGE UP IN AKRON WAS THROWN OUT A NUMBER OF THE CHARGES AND ALLEGATIONS AND THERE'S ALSO BEEN QUESTIONS OF WHETHER EVIDENCE THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A SCALPER CLEARING THEM WAS NOT TURNED OVER.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF TECHNICAL ISSUES.

I DON'T KNOW HOW THE JUDGE IS GOING TO FRAME THE CASE TO THE JURY.

>> YOU KNOW, GETTING BACK TO YOUR POINT.

I'M SURPRISED DEWINE WASN'T QUESTIONED.

I MEAN, HIS CHIEF OF STAFF AT THE TIME -- >> FRIEND OF MINE, BUT THAT'S THE TRUTH.

SO, YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT I AM SURPRISED DEWINE WASN'T.

> >> GOVERNOR DEWINE THIS WEEK GAVE HIS FINAL STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

TO GET AN IDEA OF THE GOVERNOR'S PRIORITIES AS HE WRAPS UP IN FINAL YEAR IN OFFICE, HE SPENT ABOUT A QUARTER OF HIS HOUR-LONG SPEECH TALKING ABOUT PHONICS, THE SCIENCE OF READING CURRICULUM HE PUSHED THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE.

A MOVE HE SAYS IS IMPROVING READING SCORES.

THE GOVERNOR ALSO CALLED FOR A BAN ON AI CHILD PORN, A TOUGHER SEAT BELT LAW, AND HE ENDORSED DOUBLING SCHOOL RECESS TIME FROM 30 TO 60 MINUTES.

>> RECESS GIVES CHILDREN THE CHANCE TO GET OUTSIDE AND JUST BE KIDS.

IT INCREASES THEIR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY.

IT IMPROVES THEIR MEMORY, ATTENTION, AND CONCENTRATION.

IT HELPS THEM STAY ON-TASK IN THE CLASSROOM.

IT REDUCES DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR IN THE CLASSROOM.

AND, IT IMPROVES CHILDREN'S ABILITY TO LEARN HOW TO SHARE AND NEGOTIATE.

LOTS OF LIFE SKILLS.

>> NOT A MENTION IN THE SPEECH OF THE HIGH COST OF LIVING, THE HOUSING SHORTAGE, RISING PROPERTY TAXES, THE DEATH PENALITY.

TERRY CASEY, AS I WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS THE MERIT OF 8th GRADERS GETTING RECESS.

IS THAT THE MINDS ON OHIOANS RIGHT NOW?

>> IN YOUR LAME DUCK YEAR AND THE BUDGET HAS BEEN PASSED, THIS FINAL STATE OF THE STATE, YOU ARE REALLY NOT TRYING TO PROP UP FUTURE LEGISLATION.

THEY ARE BUSY AND DISTRACTED FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR.

IN GENERAL -- >> YOU WANT TO GO OUT WITH A BANG.

HE DIDN'T TALK ABOUT THE WORKING GROUPS.

NO WORKING GROUPS WERE ANNOUNCED IN THIS SPEECH.

>> MIKE DEWINE LOVES A GOOD WORKING GROUP.

WE MIGHT HAVE A WORKING GROUP ON DOUBLING RECESS TIME.

WE'LL SEE.

IT'S ONE WAY TO SURE UP THE KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 8th GRADE VOTE.

I THINK HIS CAREER HAS ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT CHILDREN AND ADVANCING THEIR HEALTH AND SAFETY AND THEIR ABILITY TO LIVE UP TO THEIR GOD GIVEN POTENTIAL.

WE HEARD HIM SAY THAT MULTIPLE TIMES.

I DON'T THINK HE'S GOING TO TAKE ON THE GUN LOBBY OR OTHER REALLY CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES THIS LATE IN HIS TERM BECAUSE HE'S NOT GOING TO GET ANYWHERE WITH THE LEGISLATURE ON THAT.

>> DEMOCRATS ARE ANOWED HE DIDN'T BRING UP PROPERTY TAXES OR HOUSING OR EDUCATION, TRYING TO FIX THOSE, TALK ABOUT A SNOOZE FEST.

LET ME SAY THIS ABOUT RECESS.

IF ALL THAT STUFF IS TRUE, WE AUGHT TO 60 MINUTES OF RECESS TO LEGISLATORS EACH DAY SO THEY CAN BE MORE ATTENTIVE AND THINK THROUGH THESE THINGS.

NOW, HE IS NOT RUNNING FOR ANYTHING ELSE.

THIS IS HIS LEGACY.

THIS WAS THE KICKOFF OF A LEGACY YEAR.

YOU KNOW, WHEN CELEST, HE HAD TRADING CARDS ON ALL THE DIFFERENT THINGS HE DID.

THIS IGNORED AFFORDABILITY.

IT IGNORED IMMIGRATION.

ITIGNOREED SCHOOL FUNDING.

IT IGNORED THE PROPERTY TAX ISSUE.

IT IGNORED THE INCOME TAX CRISIS WE MAY FACE IF VIVEK HAS HIS WAY AND GETS RID OF IT, ALONG WITH THE PROPERTY TAX.

I DON'T KNOW WHY PEOPLE SAT THROUGH IT.

>> HIS LEGACY ABOUT READING AND EDUCATION AND HELPING KIDS, IS THAT --HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE GOING TO REMEMBER THAT, TERRY?

>> WELL, HE'S TRYING TO FINISH UP STRONG AND YES, THERE'S SOME ISSUES LIKE THE RECESS IS MORE COMPLICATED, BECAUSE 600 AND SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS, 600 AND SOME SCHOOL CONTRACTS, YOU CAN'T SAY DOUBLE THE RECESS TIME FROM A HALF HOUR TO AN HOUR WITHOUT GETTING INTO WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THE REST OF THE SCHOOL DAY AND LEARNING?

I THINK IT'S TYPICAL STATE OF THE STATE, OR STATE OF THE UNIONS, A LOT OF TIMES, YOU HAVE PUFF AND FLUFF AND WE MOVE ON FROM THERE.

>> SCHOOLS CAN DEMAND IT FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS.

IT CAN BE RECRUITMENT.

THE SCIENCE OF RECESS.

ANYWAY, TIME FOR OUR FINAL OFF THE RECORD PARTING SHOTS.

BRIAN ROTHENBERG FIRST.

>> I JUST RECENTLY SAW A POLL TODAY THAT SHOWED THAT THE CONGRESSMAN FROM DAYTON IS IN TROUBLE DOWN 52-48.

>> TERRY.

>> I JUST GOT BACK LAST WEEK FROM BEING IN ITALY, INCLUDING SICILY AND MILAN.

WHILE THERE, I DISCOVERED THERE WERE GREEKS AND ROMANS AND THE SPANISH AND NAPOLEON, DOING ALL THESE BAD THINGS.

WHEN WE WERE OVER THERE AND THINGS BROKEN OUT IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

SO, WHAT ELSE IS NEW?

THAT DOESN'T MAKE IT RIGHT.

THE HISTORY OF WAR IN THIS WORLD IS NOT A GOOD ONE.

>> LAURA.

>> YOU KNOW, IN 2011, JOHN SET UP JOBS OHIO TO MOVE AS A PRIVATE NONPROFIT.

TO MOVE AT THE SPEED OF BUSINESS.

UNHAMPERED BY BUSINESS LAWS AND OPEN RECORDS LAWS.

NOW WHEN WE HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT PODCAST FUNDING AND PITCHES AND HOW THEY ARE SPENDING MILLIONS AND MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, WE CANNOT GET ANSWERS TO THOSE UNLESS THEY COME THROUGH THE JOBS OHIO SPIN MACHINE.

SO, HAPPY SUNSHINE MONTH, EVERYONE.

>> WELL, DEMOCRATS WERE COMPLAINING ABOUT GOVERNOR DEWINE'S SPEECH THIS WEEK, NOT MUCH IN THE SPEECH THEY SAY, BUT THEY MAY LONG FOR MIKE DEWINE, SHOULD VIVEK BECOME GOVERNOR NEXT YEAR AND WISH THEY HAD GOVERNOR DEWINE, A MORE LOW KEY GOVERNOR IN THAT OFFICE.

ANYWAY, THAT'S "COLUMBUS ON THE RECORD" THIS WEEK.

DON'T FORGET, WE'RE ON COMPUTERS NOW.

YOU CAN WATCH, RELIVE, AND SHARE EVERY EPISODE BY USING THE WOSU NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

SEARCH FOR WOSU NEWS ON YOUTUBE AND THERE WE ARE.

WE'RE ALSO ON DEMAND AT OUR WEBSITE, WOSU.

ORG AND THE PBS APP.

I'M MIKE THOMPSON.

HAVE A GOOD WEEK.