Schmidt's attorney gives update

Joe Braun, a Cincinnati attorney and U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt's former campaign manager, said Rich Williams, the 1993 Columbus Marathon race operations director, will be among those called to testify at Thursday's Ohio Elections Commission hearing in Columbus. It begins at 10 a.m.

"I spoke with Dennis Hayslett today and nobody has yet purchased his photo," Braun said in an e-mail sent late this afternoon. "Perhaps the Enquirer has an interest."

Hayslett, who crossed the finish line two places in front of Schmidt as shown in her campaign web site photo, called the Enquirer Saturday to say he has a photo and videotape of the 1993 Columbus Marathon finish. He was unwilling to say what it looks like, except to say the photo was taken one second before Schmidt's, according to a finish-line clock. Nathan Noy, a write-in candidate, filed an elections commission complaint claiming Schmidt fabricated the photo and did not finish in the time and place that she claims on her campaign web site.

In an e-mail Monday, Braun wrote, "Of course I am interested in seeing (Haylett's) picture however I think his offer to sell it is nothing short of extortion. The Ohio Election Commission complaint filed by Mr. Noy which is now pending is a serious matter and we look forward to proving beyond any doubt that the Congresswoman did nothing wrong."