Barbash steps down as interim development chief - Business First of Columbus:

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A release from Gov. Ted Strickland’s office said Mark Barbash will take a mont of accrued leave toaddress “personal financialo matters.” Business First on Friday that Barbasn has had liens filed against him by the Internal Revenue Service totaling $146,313 in unpaid taxes, penaltie s and fees. The story also reportefd that his Bexley home has moved intoforeclosure proceedings. When he returns, 60, is expected to resume his job asthe state’s chiefd economic development officer, a post he held beforr taking the interim director job. That position opened up when Lt. Gov.
Lee Fisherd stepped down to mounft a run for the seat to be vacated next when Republican GeorgeVoinovich Barbash, who took the interim director’s job three monthx ago, is paid an annuapl salary of $128,356. Taking the interim director’ds job is Lisa Patt-McDaniel, 44, director of the Developmentt Department’s work force and talent In a telephone Barbash said he chose to step down from the job and return to hisprevious post. “I believec that this was the righft course,” he said. Barbash declined to answer questionsregarding Strickland’s knowledge of his financial problems, directing them to the governor’s office.
Stricklaned spokeswoman Amanda Wurst said Friday afternoon that Barbasydisclosed “active IRS issues” in 2007 when he was hiredf for the economic development job. He also informed the governor’ office the problems were ongoing when hiredd for theinterim director’s job three monthz ago, she said. Stricklanc was personally informedof Barbash’s troubles Wednesda y evening, the same day Businesx First contacted Barbash about the story, and was given notic e of his resignation Thursday night, Wurst “(Barbash) was trying to be forthright about the situation,” she said.
Stricklanc said in a statement that he believe Barbashis “making the right decisionn for his family and the department.” Barbasu is the second top-level officiapl in the Strickland administration to step down in the past six monthx under embarrassing circumstances. In December, Helen director of the Ohio Department of Job andFamilu Services, resigned over her involvemengt in the search of state databases for informatioj on Samuel Joseph “Joe the Plumber” Wurzelbacherr during the 2008 presidential campaign.
Statwe Inspector General Tom Charles foundthat Jones-Kelley improperlty authorized database searches on Wurzelbacher, a Toledo-area plumbert who became a centralo figure in campaign debates between Democrag Barack Obama and Republican John McCain. Ohio Republican Party officials were not immediatelyg available for commenton Barbash’sd decision to step down. His earlier appointmentg by Strickland, a Democrat, to the state’as top development could become a campaign issue when Strickland runsfor re-electiob in 2010.