Former Politician and Campaign Finance Expert to Present Stranahan Lecture on Tuesday

An expert in campaign finance alongside a former elected official, who is appealing his convictions to the U.S. Supreme Court, will delve into the delicate distinction between permissible donations and illicit bribes at The University of Toledo College of Law’s Stranahan Lecture.

The lecture, titled “Public Corruption or Criminalizing Politics: Democracy, Campaign Donations and the First Amendment,” will feature Caleb Burns, a partner at Wiley Rein LLP in Washington, D.C., who advises political clients on a range of legal matters including campaign finance, government ethics, and lobbying. Joining him is P.G. Sittenfeld, a former Cincinnati City Council member who spent nearly a decade in office before being convicted on bribery and attempted extortion charges, resulting in a federal prison sentence in 2024.

The free public lecture is set to take place at noon on Tuesday, March 18, in the McQuade Law Auditorium, with complimentary food and beverages available.

Visitor parking is complimentary but limited to designated spots in Area 12W.

“Every day, individuals contribute funds to candidates in support of specific commitments the candidates intend to fulfill if elected. However, at times, such contributions based on promises could blur the lines into unlawful bribery. The distinction between constitutionally protected campaign finance and criminal activity is often murky,” noted Gregory Gilchrist, a law professor at UToledo. “We’re thrilled to have the esteemed campaign finance expert, Caleb Burns, join us to discuss the challenges that arise from this ambiguity and advocate for reform. Additionally, we’re privileged to have P.G. Sittenfeld share the profound personal impact these matters have had on his life.”

Gilchrist will moderate the discussion with Burns and Sittenfeld, which will cover the significant implications of the United States v. Sittenfeld case. Sittenfeld faced accusations of accepting bribes in return for favorable votes on development agreements, sparking considerable media attention due in part to the constitutional questions it raised regarding political discourse protections.

This case attracted amicus briefs from a nearly unparalleled bipartisan coalition of individuals who have previously held positions such as United States attorney general, White House counsel, United States senator, governor, member of Congress, U.S. attorney, and state attorney general.

Burns served as an expert witness for Sittenfeld’s defense team during the trial.

The Stranahan Lecture is a component of the Stranahan National Issues Forum, presented by UToledo College of Law and the UToledo Institute of American Constitutional Thought and Leadership.

For additional details, please visit the Stranahan National Issues Forum website.