Republican State Senate candidate Michael Rulli responded Monday to a complaint filed by his opponent, Democrat John Boccieri, with his local party officials, challenging whether Rulli is allowed by law to provide yard signs to supporters who visit his grocery stores in the Valley. 

Attorney Dave Betras, Chair of the Mahoning County Democratic Party, filed the complaint with the Ohio Elections Commission (OEC), alleging that Rulli has and continues to make illegal corporate contributions to his state senate campaign.

According to the complaint, Rulli has repeatedly used his corporate headquarters and employees to distribute yard signs, literature and other materials.

"Like a crooked grocer who puts his thumb on the scale when customers aren't looking, Rulli is attempting to cheat the voters by ignoring campaign finance rules," said Betras. "He's been caught, and now he must be held accountable."

The OEC complaint cites Ohio Revised Code Section 3599.03(A)(1), which expressly prohibits corporations from using "money or property for or in aid of or opposition to a candidate for election or nomination to public office," and asserts that Michael Rulli, an officer of the corporation, has violated ORC 3599.03(B)(1) by directing the corporation to engage in illegal behavior.

Rulli holds the title of director of operations for the 100-year-old Rulli Bros. Markets in Boardman and Austintown.

"It's unfortunate that John Boccieri thinks the most important issue in this campaign is yard signs, but it doesn't surprise me," said Rulli.  "He's a career politician who's been in office for nearly 20 years. I guess a career politician would care about yard signs. I'm more concerned with creating jobs, fixing our schools and fighting the drug epidemic that's literally killing Ohioans every day."

Rulli said that candidates are constitutionally protected by the right to free speech to disseminate campaign materials and said the law cited by Boccieri's complaint does not apply to the "simple act" of handing out yard signs.

"I look forward to this complaint being exposed for what it is, a campaign stunt designed to shift attention away from the message I'm delivering," said Rulli.  "It's pretty simple. John Boccieri has held a public office for 19 years, running nine different campaigns during that time. At some point, we need to realize that electing the same politicians over and over again delivers the same results, and I don't call double-digit unemployment, failing schools and struggling communities a good result. It's time for a change."

"Rulli can't plead ignorance or blame the violations on someone else," Atty. Betras noted. "He has used Facebook to direct people to pick up signs at his stores and I have video of campaign work being done at his corporate headquarters. Rulli's not only aware of what's taking place, he's directing the illegal activity. The last thing we need in Columbus is another Republican lawmaker who breaks the law."