[JURIST] Ohio Governor Bob Taft [official website] was charged Wednesday with criminal misdemeanors for failing to acknowledge nearly 70 golf outings and other favors. The charges stem from a two-month investigation by a task force of Ohio authorities and come three months after Taft stressed at a conference the importance of ethical behavior for public employees. Taft released records earlier this month showing he had accepted invitations to 21 golf events since 1999. They included a 2001 outing with Taft associate and struggling coin dealer Tom Noe [AP report], whose $50 million investment of state money in rare coins began the scandal that led to Taft's disclosure. Earlier this year former Connecticut Governor John G. Rowland [archived official website] began a year-long sentence [JURIST report] for corruption of office after accepting gifts. Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien said Taft will probably have to appear in court Thursday. The Columbus Dispatch has more.