2025-01-28

Just days after leaving the Ohio legislature, Republican former Rep. Jon Cross has resurfaced as a lobbyist representing the nonprofit group that apparently violated federal law by openly advocating for Cross’ reelection last year.

Ohio lobbying records show the Indian Lake Advocacy Group, a tax-exempt nonprofit run by marina owner Bud Christman, is one of Cross’ new clients. Last year, ILAG posted a call on its website asking its members to vote for Cross, who was seeking a $5 million earmark for ILAG to dredge and clear weeds from Indian Lake in northwest Ohio.

Cross obtained the grant, which is now on hold after Checks & Balances Project reported on ILAG’s electioneering for Cross. Federal law prohibits tax-exempt groups from supporting the election of political candidates.

ILAG received its nonprofit status in August 2022, and IRS records show it has not raised or spent enough money to file a detailed tax return. It had no record of doing the dredging and weed clearance called for by the grant Cross secured last year.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has performed the dredging and weed clearance on Indian Lake. Neither Cross nor Christman have publicly explained why ILAG can do the work better than ODNR.

Support for ILAG started after donations

Cross had secured state money for ODNR to clear and dredge Indian Lake before last year, records show. His support changed after Christman held a fundraiser for Cross in June 2022. Christman gave Cross a combined $18,234 in 2022 and 2023.

iLAG received its nonprofit status two months after Christman’s first $5,000 donation to Cross.

By early 2024, Cross was touting his work to get the $5 million for ILAG. It wasn’t enough to save his job. He lost his primary bid 66 percent to 34 percent.

Now, however, his political patron Christman has found a soft landing for Cross.

Ray Locker is the executive director for Checks & Balances Project, an investigative watchdog blog holding government officials, lobbyists, and corporate management accountable to the public. Funding for C&BP is provided by Renew American Prosperity and individual donors.

You may also want to read:

Grant to Ohio nonprofit that backed candidate now on hold

Checks & Balances Project seeks IRS investigation of Ohio nonprofit that backed legislator

Ohio nonprofit openly backs legislator who obtained its $5 million state grant

C&BP files request for records of $5 million Ohio grant for nonprofit group