By Jessica Wehrman, Dayton Daily News, June 20, 2007

20 Jun 2007 // Rep. Mike Turner's decision to hire his wife Lori's marketing firm for his congressional campaign has raised the eyebrows of a congressional watchdog group.

In a report released this week, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington found 64 members of Congress paid family members through their campaign committees or political action committees — 26 Democrats and 38 Republicans. In Ohio, that includes Turner, R-Centerville, Reps. Dennis Kucinich, D-Cleveland, Steven LaTourette, R-Cleveland, Ralph Regula, R-Navarre, and Paul Gillmor, R-Tiffin.

Such practices raise "the suggestion of nepotism, and the suggestion that members of Congress are using their position in public service to enhance their family's financial position," said Melanie Sloan, executive director of the watchdog group.

The report found that since 2002, Turner's campaign has paid Turner Marketing and Turner Effect a total of $54,065 for graphic design and mail design, including $16,330 during the 2006 election cycle, $23,192 during 2004 and $14,543 in 2002.

According to Turner's annual congressional financial disclosure report, Lori Turner's marketing firm is worth between $15,001 and $50,000. The assets are listed on the report as Lori Turner's, not her husband's.

"My wife has never been paid for working on any of my campaigns for mayor or Congress," Turner said. "My campaigns have used the staff of her company for marketing services such as Web sites, yard signs ... and paid fair market rates."

Sloan said the $54,065 Turner paid his wife is "not nearly as much money as some members" paid. She cites Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., whose campaign paid her husband's two businesses almost $350,000.

The FEC in 2001 ruled that members of Congress could use their campaigns to hire a family member if the family member was qualified and received a fair market value for bona fide services.