Local

Rulli offers $5K reward for video evidence showing who burned Hagan campaign sign

By Mahoning Matters staff
A photo of the burning campaign sign in support of Ohio Senate candidate Bob Hagan.
A photo of the burning campaign sign in support of Ohio Senate candidate Bob Hagan. (Twitter | Bob Hagan)

State Sen. Michael Rulli of Salem, R-33rd, is offering a $5,000 reward for video evidence showing who set fire to a campaign sign in support of his opponent, Bob Hagan of Youngstown.

The vandalism of the sign is “emblematic of the violent anarchy of the republican ruling class,” Hagan told WFMJ on Sunday.

Rulli responded to the “vicious accusation” Monday.

“Our team takes these accusations very seriously, and we intend to uncover the truth,” Rulli said in a statement.

“That’s why I am offering a $5,000 reward out of my own pocket to anyone who can provide credible video evidence showing the perpetrator in the act of setting my opponent’s sign on fire. I’m asking the people of this community to check their doorbell cameras and security footage to catch this criminal in the act, no matter which side they’re on.”

Rulli is asking anyone with information to email SignVideoJustice@yahoo.com.

Hagan posted a photo of the sign on Twitter on Sunday. He told WFMJ that the photo was sent to him by someone who lives near the location of the sign on Broadway Avenue in Youngstown.

Rulli, who is seeking re-election to the state Senate, will face Hagan in the Nov. 8 general election. Hagan, a Democrat, represented the 58th District from 1987 to 1997 and 2007 to 2014, and served in the state Senate from 1997 to 2006.