Gov. Ted Strickland is facing more questions after two inmates assigned to work detail at theGovernor's residence in Bexley were found intoxicated on Thursday.
One of the inmates was briefly hospitalized on Thursday night when corrections officers grewconcerned about how the alcohol was affecting him. A test revealed his blood-alcohollevel to be more than three times the legal limit, prison officials said.
Corrections officials discovered the problem when the inmates boarded a prison bus at the end oftheir work shift. They noticed suspicious behavior and gave two of them breathalyzer tests,10 Investigates' Paul Aker reported.
The inmates were identified as Nicholas Hoaja, who is serving a sentence for drunken driving,and Dallas Feazell, who is serving time for drug manufacturing.
WEB EXTRAS: Hearing Subpoena | Grendell's Letter | Case Timeline | Read Goodman's Letter To Strickland (PDF File) | SPECIAL SECTION: 10 Investigates
Hoaja had a blood alcohol level of .27 percent, more than three times the legal limit in Ohio,and Feazell tested .053 percent, prisons officials said.
The legal limit for driving in Ohio is .08 percent.
It was not clear where the alcohol may have come from.
The developments prompted Strickland to suspend the Pickaway Correctional Institution's InmateWork Program at his residence.
10 Investigates first exposed years of concerns that inmates had access to alcohol and othercontraband at the governor's residence, and an interview with a former prison worker who saidinmates served alcohol at the governor's parties, which presented undeniable temptation.
Last week, Strickland announced that he was beefing up security at the residence to curb anyissues, but on Friday, he said inmates still had access to alcohol up until Thursday.
"I think part of the pre-release program is trying to get people prepared for the set ofcircumstances they're likely to face outside of the institution," Strickland said. "So it'svery likely that if he were out of prison he would be exposed to those types of environments wherealcohol was available."
Strickland said he hopes the work program will continue after an investigation.
Watch 10TV News HD and refresh 10TV.com for continuing coverage.
Previous Stories:
May 25, 2010: Ohio Senate Refuses Confirmation Of Collins-Taylor
May 20, 2010: Ohio Senate Committee Votes Against Public Safety Director's Confirmation
May 20, 2010: Collins-Taylor Says She Had No Motive To Lie About Sting
May 19, 2010: Public Safety Director 'Offended' By Report Into Canceled Sting
May 14, 2010: Subpoenas Out, Confirmation Hearings Will Focus On Whether Public Safety DirectorLied
May 13, 2010: Bill Introduced To Review Prisoner Work Program
May 11, 2010: Safety Director Denied Aborting Sting, Recordings Show
May 5, 2010: Strickland Asked To Suspend Inmate Program Where He Lives
April 29, 2010: Report: 'Political Embarrassment' Key Factor In Canceled Sting
April 28, 2010: 'No Holds Barred' Report Expected About Gov. Residence Incident
March 24, 2010: Senate Hearings Continue On Canceled Drug Sting At Gov's Residence
March 22, 2010: Canceled Hearings On Drug Sting Will Continue
March 17, 2010: E-Mails Show Drug Sting May Have Been Stopped For Political Reasons
February 24, 2010: Cover Up Allegations Follow Canceled Drug Sting
February 23, 2010: Concerns Linger About Alcohol, Inmates Inside Governor's Residence
February 17, 2010: 10 Investigates' Probe Prompts Senate Hearing
February 2, 2010: Patrol Changes Investigation Involving Major
February 1, 2010: Ex-Colonel Wants Investigation Into Alleged Gov. Residence Plot
January 29, 2010: Ohio Highway Patrol Official Ousted Over Alleged Gov. Residence Plot
January 28, 2010: Strickland Confident How Patrol Handled Sting Outside His Mansion
January 27, 2010: Woman At Center Of Alleged Drug Deal Governor's Mansion Explains Ordeal
January 26, 2010: Patrol Tips Off Woman Suspected In Drug Deal At Governor's Mansion
