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WBNS-TV conducted a one year investigation and a series of open records requets to look into allegations of corruption by Ron Barnes, president of Central Ohio's Transit Authority (COTA). Through their investigation, they uncovered a series of e-mails between Barnes and former transit authority board member Ernie Sullivan, who negotiated a high-priced consultants job for himself in clear violation of Ohio's Ehtics Law. The Ethics Commission found violations of the state ethics law, ordered the resignation of former transit authority board member and current consultant Ernie Sullivan. The Commission also ordered Sullivan and COTA president Ron Barnes to refund taxpayers $18,000.