"I Recognize That This Is Very Odd"

AP (02.25.05):

"An Ohio Supreme Court justice had $18,000 of his money stolen from his state-issued car while he was being honored at a high school dinner, authorities said. Justice Terrence O'Donnell, 59, told police the theft occurred Feb. 16 in the Flats riverfront entertainment district [in Cleveland], where he parked his car for the St. Edward High School event." Emphasis supplied. Ohio Justice Has $18,000 of His Money Stolen From State-Issued Car

Cleveland Plain Dealer (02.25.05):

"'For the longest time, I have kept personal savings in my home,' said O'Donnell, 59. 'It's not illicit. I haven't won the lottery; I don't gamble.' And the money is 'not even remotely' related to campaign contributions, he said." Emphasis supplied. 'Nothing sinister' in theft from car, O'Donnell says

Apparently, the good Justice made a withdrawal from his "personal savings", stuck the cash in a clothing bag and tossed it into the back seat "of his state-owned Buick Park Avenue." At the high school, he could have parked in a "a security-patrolled lot", but didn't want to pay the $3 fee. Also, last August, the good Justice had a garage door opener stolen from his vehicle. AP (02.25.05):

"He said the theft was 'just the oddest, most peculiar circumstance. One, that you would have that much money; two, you'd have it with you; three, that it would be on that night; and four, you'd be in that place where this would occur.'" Emphasis supplied. Justice: Stolen cash was for repairs

This article describes the Justice's explanation as to why he was carrying around 18 large in a clothing bag as "a complicated story". Justice O'Donnell was appointed to the court in 2003 by Governor Bob Taft. He was elected to his first six-year term last year. He is a Republican, for what that's worth. He is now aware (we hope) that a car has a thing called a trunk, and that you can lock stuff in it. Fun Footnotes: ¹ The Justice has a son, also Terrance, also an attorney, who "practices in the area of government relations". Fortuitously enough, huh? ² Some folks are really pissed off at the good Justice. ³ The cash is not even remotely related to campaign contributions.