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Misrepresentation Now, What Happens After Election Day?
The race for Ohio’s 86th District has taken a sharp turn into the weeds of local tax law and candidate transparency. An anonymous tip, backed by screenshots of public records and audio evidence, raises a serious question: can a candidate honestly claim to “pay property taxes” if they don’t actually own property?
The candidate in question is Benjamin Nathaniel Weber, a Republican running for the 86th District seat. In a recently surfacing audio from a candidate night, Weber states clearly, “My wife and I pay property taxes.” He goes on to discuss his residence in the Stillwell Jerome development, noting that it is the “8th biggest property taxpayer in this county.” However, a deeper look into the legal ownership of that development reveals a significant contradiction.
The Paper Trail: Voter Records vs. Auditor Data
To understand the discrepancy, we must look at two different sets of official records:
- Voter Registration: According to Union County voter details, Benjamin Nathaniel Weber is registered at 8341 Fireside Dr, Plain City, OH 43064.
- Property Records: A search of the Union County Auditor’s database for that address reveals “No Address Results.” Similarly, a search by name for “Weber, Benjamin” returns “No Owner Results.”
The absence of his name on the Auditor’s website is a critical find. In Ohio, if an individual owns real estate, their name is the primary identifier for that parcel. If the name is missing, they are likely a tenant—not the taxpayer of record.
Foreign and Corporate Ownership
Investigation into the Stillwell Jerome development—a “build-to-rent” community—uncovers that the property is not owned by its residents, but by a complex chain of corporate entities:
- The Owner of Record: The property is owned by CRH Plain City Owner, LLC. This entity is a “Foreign Limited Liability Company” registered in Delaware.
- The Manager: This LLC is managed by Coastal Ridge Real Estate, which is headquartered at 80 E. Rich Street, Suite 120, Columbus, Ohio 43215.
- The Global Parent: CRH Plain City Owner, LLC is a subsidiary of CRH plc, a major international building materials group. While it has a major North American presence in New York, its global headquarters is located at 42 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin, Ireland.
Because Stillwell Jerome is a rental community, the legal taxpayer of record for Weber’s residence is a multi-national corporate structure, not the candidate himself.
The “Taxpayer” Distinction: Renter vs. Owner
There is a significant legal and ethical distinction between a homeowner and a renter when it comes to taxes.
- The Landlord’s Burden: Under Ohio Revised Code (ORC) Chapters 5709 and 5713, property taxes are levied against the owner of record (the LLC). If the taxes aren’t paid, the county places a lien on the property, not on a tenant’s credit.
- The Renter’s Reality: A tenant is defined under ORC 5321.01. While a portion of a renter’s monthly check goes toward the landlord’s expenses, the state of Ohio does not recognize the tenant as the taxpayer.
- The “Escrow” Claim: Weber mentions in the video that he doesn’t think voters “care if it’s escrow because we just bought a house.” However, the Auditor’s data—the legal source of truth—continues to reflect corporate ownership by CRH Plain City Owner, LLC, with no record of a personal purchase by Weber.
Why This Matters for Voters
In a political campaign, the words a candidate chooses matter. Claiming to “pay property taxes” implies a shared financial burden with the homeowners of the district—a burden that, legally, a renter does not carry.
Under ORC 3517.21, the Ohio Elections Commission monitors “false statements” made by candidates. Claiming to have paid a tax that has never legally been assessed to you is a factual misrepresentation. In a political context, this falls under “misrepresenting a candidate’s background or experience.”
If a candidate is willing to blur the lines on their own financial stake in the community and the reality of the corporate ownership of their residence, voters are left to wonder what other “facts” might be up for interpretation.
For the residents of the 86th District, the question remains: is Benjamin Weber a taxpayer in the eyes of the law, or just a tenant paying the bills of a Columbus-managed, Irish-owned conglomerate?
Works Cited (Click Here)
Statutory & Legal References
- Ohio Revised Code § 5321.01 (Landlord and Tenant Definitions): Defines a “Tenant” as a person entitled under a rental agreement to the use and occupancy of residential premises to the exclusion of others, and a “Landlord” as the owner or agent authorized to manage the premises.
- Ohio Revised Code § 5709.01 (Taxable Property): Establishes that all real property in Ohio is subject to taxation, with the liability resting upon the “owner of record” entered on the general tax list and duplicate.
- Ohio Revised Code § 3517.21 (B)(10) (Infiltration of Campaign; False Statements): Prohibits any person from knowingly or recklessly disseminating false statements concerning a candidate designed to promote their election or defeat, including misrepresentations of professional background or experience.
- Ohio Revised Code Chapter 5713 (Appraisal of Real Property): Outlines the duties of the County Auditor to determine the taxable value of parcels and identify the legal owner responsible for assessment.
Corporate & Jurisdictional Data
- Delaware Division of Corporations: Entity search for CRH Plain City Owner, LLC (File Number: 4775605), establishing the owner of record as a Foreign Limited Liability Company.
- Coastal Ridge Real Estate (Corporate Filing): Headquarters located at 80 E. Rich Street, Suite 120, Columbus, Ohio 43215. Identifies the entity as the developer and property manager for the “Stillwell” brand.
- CRH plc (Investor Relations & Global Filings): Confirms global headquarters at 42 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin, Ireland. Lists CRH as the ultimate parent organization for the North American materials and infrastructure divisions associated with the LLC.
- Coastal Ridge Development Portfolio (Stillwell Jerome): Official project brief identifying the development at Jerome Road (Plain City) as a 230-unit build-to-rent community featuring freestanding homes with private yards designed for tenants, not individual owner-occupants.
Public Records Databases
- Union County Auditor’s Office: Real Estate Search Database (Property Search by Address and Name).
- Union County Board of Elections: Public Voter Registration Lookup.