Robin Vos’s Relationship with Disgraced Ex-Ohio Speaker Didn’t Start in London

MADISON, Wis. — A free trip to London wasn’t the only time Assembly Speaker Robin Vos teamed up with the now former Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives Cliff Rosenberger. In February of 2017, Vos traveled to Columbus to appear at a media event with his then counterpart to discuss, “joint legislative efforts” and issues including “aging population.” One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross today questioned if Vos stayed with Rosenberger in his controversial Columbus luxury condo crash pad, owned by a major GOP donor who advocates on aging issues.

“Cliff Rosenberger has more than a whiff of scandal surrounding him and the way he allegedly does business,” commented Ross. “And Speaker Vos has been on the scene more than once as this guy does his thing.”

Rosenberger recently stepped down from his position as Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives amid reports he is under scrutiny by the FBI. Investigators are said to be interested in an overseas jaunt also attended by Vos allegedly underwritten by the payday loan industry. In addition to footing the bill, two payday loan industry lobbyists travelled with the lawmakers. The payday loan industry has been fighting legislation in Ohio that would crack down on the predatory practices of the high interest rate lenders. In Wisconsin, Vos has led efforts to limit regulation of payday lenders.

The reported inquiry is also examining Rosenberger’s Columbus housing arrangements. He lists no real estate ownership in Ohio but resides in a luxury condominium while in the capitol city, owned by a major donor to Ohio Republicans who advocates for aging issues. Rosenberger has refused to disclose the nightly rate he alleges he pays for his 2,200 plus square foot luxury accomodations in a Columbus high-rise.

Ross concluded, “The list of questions Robin Vos needs to answer about his relationship with sleazy Cliff Rosenberger and how he’s doing business in Wisconsin keeps growing.”