CINCINNATI — A day after former Ohio Speaker of the House Larry Householder received a 20-year prison sentence, the same federal judge sentenced former Ohio Republican Party Chair Matt Borges to five years.
Borges is set to spend the next five years in prison, a sentence federal judge Timothy Black said he thought was best for the role Borges played in the scheme tied to HB 6. While it’s four years more than what Borges’s defense attorneys asked for, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio Kenneth Parker said it’s right within the government’s recommendation.
“We respect the judge’s sentencing decision as the judge and he put it best. You know, we sleep in the beds that we make,” said Parker. “We reap what we sow and we pay the dues, which we’ve heard.”
Black said Borges deprived Ohio citizens the right to vote on the HB 6 referendum. Black claims Borges was doing it for the money and not caring who he hurt. But unlike what the judge said about Householder, Black said Borges wasn’t doing it for power, nor was he a public figure or the mastermind of the bribery scheme.
“The judge’s sentencing today, he set forth a sentence that sufficient but not greater than necessary to achieve the goals of punishment,” Parker said.
Both Borges and his wife addressed the courtroom ahead of the sentencing. Kate Borges explained how her husband has always been a family man and been a champion of the underdog. Black was surprised when Borges took the stand apologizing for his actions.
“Glad he showed remorse,” Parker added. “I’m glad he apologized to the citizens of Ohio.”
Parker hopes Borges’ sentencing is an example to others that no one is above the law, and they’re willing to prosecute anyone who tries to be.
“Those who feel that democracy is for sale, that any vote they may have is for sale or their integrity, our office will seek to prosecute those individuals,” he said.
