I’ve recorded a lot of history on this issue via my “Joe the Plumber” category, and here’s the latest from hotair.com (via Dayton Daily News):

Ohio Inspector General Tom Charles’ investigation into whether Helen Jones-Kelley used her top-level state job for improper political fundraising could be finished this week, Charles said on Monday, Nov. 10.

Gov. Ted Strickland has placed Jones-Kelley, 57, of Clayton on paid administrative leave from her $141,980-a-year job as director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services due to what Strickland called the “possibility” that a state computer or state e-mail account was used to help in political fundraising for the Obama for president campaign.

Jones-Kelley, who contributed $2,500 to Obama, formerly headed the same department in Montgomery County.

So, what, exactly, did Jones-Kelley do?

She tipped off Team Obama to potential donors for an Obama fundraiser at a Dayton school, and used her work e-mail to do it.  She identified at least one other public official as a potential invitee, who did get an invitation and attended with the requisite $2,500 donation.

As I discussed in my original posting on this issue, there was absolutely no probable cause for the director to go snooping through Joe’s files. While this is still technically an investigation and these are outstanding allegations waiting to be clarified, it simply does not bode well for anyone who lives under the auspices of such a free-wheeling government.

In fact, wasn’t there quite a large hub-bub of concern over Gov. Sarah Palin’s emails? We at least got to the bottom of that one in short order.

The governing absolutely must be held to account.

-Phil