The Observation Deck

See http://www.onelakewood.com/city-hires-t ... tal-issue/

The law firm known as Thompson Hine LLP that City Hall hired when the hospital debacle first began was purported to be a neutral, outside party, no? Did City Hall not tell us that Thompson Hine LLP was suppsed to "verify" the work of LHA? While some facts have been brought forth here as evidence that the Thompson Hine deal was a front, even more information has been revealed.

First, it is worth noting that over twelve "professionals" from Thompson Hine LLP live in Lakewood. These professionals do not include the maintenance man or the desk clerks. These "professionals" are partners, associates, and paralegals. Two of them live on Bonnieview and two live on Blossom Park right next door to one another.

There is one "professional" listed as working at Thompson Hine LLP however that really takes the cake. The name of this professional is Fred Hilow. According to Thompson Hine's website, Fred Hilow is listed as an "associate" and advises clients on a wide range of corporate matters, such as mergers and acquisitions, commercial contracts and securities offerings.

Why is it such a big deal that some guy named Fred Hilow works at Thompson Hine, you ask? Has anyone heard of the Hilows that live on Lake Ave. here in Lakewood? Fred Hilow is the son of Henry Hilow. Henry is a very big supporter of Mayor/Public Safety Director Michael P. Summers as well as BuildLakewood, hosting several fundraisers and parties for Summers and BuildLakewood at his lavish, 10-bedroom Lake Ave. mansion. Henry Hilow works at the law offices of McGinty, Hilow, and Spellacy. McGinty, Hilow, & Spellacy have donated to the political campaigns of Judge John P. O'Donnell, who is currently overseeing the $400 million dollar Lakewood Hospital lawsuit.

For a quick Cliffnotes version of the above paragraph, the son of a very close mayor's friend and BuildLakewood supporter is working at Thompson Hine LLP as an associate, apparently in corporate law. Thompson Hine was purported to be an outside, independent, law firm. The law firm of this very close mayor's friend also donated to the campaign of Judge John P. O'Donnell.

As if the above wasn't bad enough, it appears that Thompson Hine has also had some dealings with the Cleveland Clinic. See
http://giving.clevelandclinic.org/show- ... 6&group=93

It is signed by Delos M. Cosgrove. While it is very nice that Thompson Hine gives to CCF Children's and as worthy of a cause as it is, this does not help their case that they are a completely, independent law firm.

It is also worth noting that Thompson Hine LLP has also donated to the campaigns of County Executive Armond Budish and Judge John P. O'Donnell, who is currently overseeing the $400 million dollar taxpayer lawsuit pertaining to Lakewood Hospital.

I am wrapping up looking through some campaign contributions to some Lakewood City Council members. It appears that at least a few "professionals" from Thompson Hine LLP have donated to the campaigns of some of our councilmen. More on this to come soon.

Now, it appears that at least two of our councilmen have received campaign contributions from "professionals" at Thompson Hine LLP.

On 6/24/15, Dan O'Malley received a campaign contribution in the amount of $35 from a Daniel Lynch. Daniel Lynch lives here in Ward 3 (not Ward 4) in Lakewood and is a lawyer at Thompson Hine LLP.

On 7/21/15, Sam O'Leary received a campaign contribution in the amount of $30 from a Marla Samko. Ms. Samko is a paralegal at Thompson Hine LLP and lives in Ward 1 (not Ward 2) here in Lakewood.

Oh yeah, they're independent! They don't know anybody!

The amount of the contribution does not matter. It shows a connection, and that is enough.

Lori Allen _ wrote:Now, it appears that at least two of our councilmen have received campaign contributions from "professionals" at Thompson Hine LLP.
The amount of the contribution does not matter. It shows a connection, and that is enough.

Lori

I have heard nothing but good things about Thompson Hine LLP.

It seems to me, that the problem is in the public officials. Also I think Councilman O'Malley has stayed out of all hospital deliberations, I could be wrong.

It is an interesting equation, all of this, merely hiring Thompson Hine LLP, means they run EVERYTHING through them. Lawyers I have spoken with cannot believe some of this was even written by Thompson Hines LLP.

However, we do know the law, and that anyone receiving a contribution should have returned it, or not taken part in the discussion and vote.

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** Mind blown that one can buy influence for 30 bucks. 30 bucks!

All,

As was said before, the amount of the contribution doesn't matter, in my opinion. The fact that these people gave, whatever the amount, shows a connection. Rarely do you give money to total strangers for the fun of it. As was also said before, Thompson Hine has donated to Judge O'Donnell, Armond Budish, etc. They were purported to be an independent law firm that was supposed to independently verify the work of LHA. They were obviously NOT independent. That's fine, but don't try to pull the wool over our eyes and purport Thompson Hine to be something they are not. Also remember all of council's private, back door meetings with Thompson Hine and lawyers.

In my opinion, O'Malley interjected himself into everything when the postcard came out saying that "all members of Lakewood City Council" endorsed Issue 64. I believe I offered Mr. O'Malley a chance to correct himself here if this was printed in error. Almost two months later and crickets. I also have more information coming about O'Malley that may be even more evidential of a connection between him and CCF. The bottom line is I have not seen him objecting to anything council is doing. He has been on council almost a year. Also, I believe he should be privy to the paperwork and the records that Kevin Butler was holding hostage, last I knew, as well as most everything else.

By the way, I am still waiting for a public statement from Councilperson Cynthia A. Marx regarding her fairly heavy contribution from Mr. James W. Kemp Jr., Managing Director at Huron Consulting. What kind of connection is this?

If anyone wishes to refute anything I post, I would be more than willing to look over the facts and documentation that say otherwise.

Jim,

I enjoyed our recent telephone conversation and appreciated your praise of what I have brought to the Deck.

Lori Allen _ wrote:
If anyone wishes to refute anything I post, I would be more than willing to look over the facts and documentation that say otherwise.

Jim,

I enjoyed our recent telephone conversation and appreciated your praise of what I have brought to the Deck.

Lori

Maybe Dan will come in, maybe not, But I believe he did not sign off on it.

The amount of data you and your son scan, digest and get out is pretty staggering and pretty impressive.

I might not always agree with your version of the puzzle(s) but you have proven me wrong waaaaaay tooooooo many times to ignore your work.

You and Essi are machines.

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