Ohio Blows $346.5 Mil

A Cincinnati Enquirer investigation found that state contractors and public agencies have misspent more than $346.5 million of Ohio taxpayers' money since 2000. A Toledo company that was supposed to care for foster children, for instance, spent $750,000 on a Mercedes-Benz, plastic surgery, health club dues, and stocks. A Cleveland Head Start agency collected more than $2.2 million in tax money for 600 children who didn't exist. And in Cincinnati, a Medicaid firm charged taxpayers nearly $6,000 to care for 22 people who already had died. Even worse, the report found, state officials don't seem to be very interested in reclaiming the money, even after the abuse is uncovered.