Newsroom speaker series

Mike Wilkinson to talk about Coingate

Whether you were here then or not, you all know about Coingate.

In April, 2005, The Blade first reported on local GOP leader Tom Noe’s $50 million state rare coin investment deal, triggering a multiyear state investigation that uncovered corruption in the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation and led to charges against more than 20 public officials and money managers. Noe was ordered to serve an 18-year prison sentence, and he was let out early during the pandemic. Before that, he served nearly two more years in federal prison for illegally steering contributions through conduits to the 2004 re-election campaign of then-President George W. Bush.

At noon on Monday (Aug. 7), come hear about our Coingate reporting from Mike Wilkinson, who is now a data reporter with Bridge Michigan. Mike can tell us the steps those on the Coingate team took and the obstacles they faced to make sure The Blade owned this story.

The discussion will take place in the executive conference room on the second floor.

Kim