By Malia Rulon, Cincinnati Enquirer, June 25, 2007

25 Jun 2007 // Rep. Mike Turner got some negative attention last week: A liberal congressional watchdog group spotlighted him in a report about members of Congress who pay their spouses or family members for campaign work.

In Turner's case, it was his wife Lori's marketing company - Turner Effect - that he hired for campaign services. According to the report from Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, Turner has paid his wife $51,099 for campaign work since 2001.

Turner, who represents northern Warren County, said his wife has never personally worked on any of his campaigns - for mayor of Dayton or for Congress. He says his campaign used her company's staff for marketing materials such as Web sites, yard signs and campaign literature.

"Surely no one can expect me to seek loyal marketing services from her competitors," Turner said.

Regardless, Turner isn't alone in paying his spouse for campaign work. According to the report, based on campaign documents, some 72 members of the U.S. House paid more than $5 million in campaign funds to relatives or their relatives' companies during the past six years.

Paying a family member is allowed under Federal Election Commission rules as long as the family member is qualified and paid at fair market value for bona fide services.