Progressive group unwraps 'Noe and Friends' video

Coinciding with this week's start of a criminal trial against rare coin dealer and GOP fund-raiser Tom Noe in Toledo, ProgressOhio.org released a video of the Jan. 7, 2005, swearing-in ceremony of Ohio Supreme Court Justice Judith Lanzinger.

"As you heard, Tom Noe, our master of ceremonies, is a very dear old friend," Lanzinger croons.

The video's link is here, and requires viewers to sign in:
http://www.progressohio.org/noevid

Noe, the former chairman of the Ohio Board of Regents and Ohio Turnpike Commission, -- convicted in a separate federal case of laundering campaign contributions to George Bush's 2004 re-election -- gives opening remarks, acknowledging Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, Auditor Betty Montgomery, House Speaker Jon Husted and Gov. Bob Taft.

Noe also boasts about his fund-raising efforts on behalf of President Bush and U.S. Sen. George Voinovich.

On the video prepared by the newly-formed 501(c)(4) organization, Barbra Steisand can be heard singing "The Way We Were" in the background.

Noe has pleaded not guilty to theft, money laundering, forgery and a corrupt activity charge based on allegations he stole more than $2 million in investments, from an unbid $50 million contract he had with the Bureau of Workers' Compensation. He faces up to 10 years on the corrupt activity charge.

The trial is expected to last at least six weeks through Election Day on Nov. 7.