Jackie Borchardt

Cleveland.com

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel's office has spent nearly $1.7 million in taxpayer dollars on TV ads featuring himself and Ohio State University football coach Urban Meyer to boost an investment program for disabled Ohioans.

Critics say Mandel -- a Republican who announced his run for U.S. Senate six months after the ads began running -- dodged scrutiny of the self-promotional ads by spending less than $50,000 at each station, so the buys were not subject to external review.

Mandel's office defended the ads as necessary to raise awareness of the new STABLE investment program, which allows people with disabilities and their families to contribute money tax-free for housing, education and other expenses, without affecting federal benefit eligibility.

"Treasurer Mandel is on the side of the taxpayers and is proud to be a national leader in helping people with Down syndrome, autism and other disabilities," spokesman Chris Berry said in an email.

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