Finney apologizes

Two days after unleashing a tirade of profanity, Chris Finney called everyone at the event -- even the two reporters there -- today to apologize.


"From the bottom of my heart, I apologize for my use of profanity," Finney said this morning.

Finney also talked this morning to David Pepper to apologize.

Pepper, a Democrat challenging incumbent Republican Hamilton County Commissioner Phil Heimlich, held an outdoor Tuesday press conference to announce his 10 simple rules for improving government. One was to be transparent, especially when appointing friends and business partners to boards.

Finney -- who has a real estate business with Heimlich and was appointed by Heimlich to the volunteer Tax Levy Review Committee that monitors property taxes for special purposes like services to the children and elderly -- took exception, believing Finney was taking a personal shot at Finney, a Cincinnati lawyer.

Finney attended the Tuesday press conference and, when Pepper got to the transparency issue, Finney loudly and vulgarly attacked Pepper.

Finney, also a Heimlich political supporter, accused Pepper of "smearing my name."

He then verbally attacked Pepper, telling him and his spokeswoman to "kiss my a--" and calling Pepper -- son of former Procter & Gamble chairman John Pepper -- "a rich f------- ---hole."

Finney began making telephone calls this morning.

"He gave a nice apology," Pepper said today. "I appreciate and accept his apology."

More importantly, to Pepper, Finney also apologized to Pepper's spokeswoman, Bridget Doherty, who Finney also told to kiss his behind.

"We'll get back to the campaign," Finney said.

Finney wouldn't discuss why he yelled and cursed at the Tuesday press conference, saying that discussion would detract from the sincerity of his apology.

"It is a full and unconditional apology. This is weighing on my heart a great deal," Finney said.