League of Women Voters of Ohio Education Fund
State of Ohio November 4, 2008 Election
	Richard Cordray Answers Questions Candidate for Attorney General

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. What specific actions should the Attorney General take to protect consumers in Ohio?

Ohio's Attorney General should use all the powers of the office against anyone who tries to scam Ohioans or use `gotcha' tactics to take their hard-earned dollars. As Attorney General, I would carry on the work begun in the State Treasurer's office to educate consumers about predatory practices and making informed financial decisions. Financial education helps, but the rule of law is the critical tool to protect the financial security of Ohioans. Specifically, we will continue our work on foreclosure prevention (taking on predatory lenders, appraisers, flippers, and foreclosure "prevention" scammers); stand up for fair consumer practices by credit card companies (including marketing to students on campus); initiate a Senior Strike Force to prevent consumer fraud against seniors; and battle every kind of unfair financial practice that takes money out of our pockets or jobs from our hometowns.

2. What changes would you propose in the authority of the Attorney General?

As the only candidate who has actually worked in the Attorney General's office as Ohio's first State Solicitor, I understand the expansive powers of the office and do not plan initially to seek broader powers. Instead, I intend to exercise my authority to uphold the standards of professionalism and restore public trust in the office. I also will protect the financial interests of Ohioans and be a strong partner to local law enforcement. I will reconstitute the Criminal Law Project to help local prosecutors arguing in the Ohio Supreme Court to keep criminals behind bars, establish commissions to assist on budgetary issues for local law enforcement, and work closely with small businesses to provide an early warning system and dispute mediation to reduce costs. If the structure or functions of the office prove inadequate, I will work with both sides of the aisle in the General Assembly to address that.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. The answer must not exceed 100 words. Direct references to opponents are not permitted.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 4, 2008 00:29
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