OH SB223

Enacts section 109.88 to authorize the Ohio Attorney General to investigate violations of unauthorized use of property and telecommunications fraud, with power to issue subpoenas and compel witness testimony.

Modifies telecommunications fraud penalties in section 2913.05 by lowering threshold values: fourth degree felony for $1,000-$7,500 (previously $5,000-$100,000), third degree for $7,500-$150,000 (previously $100,000+), and adds second degree felony for $150,000-$1,000,000 and first degree felony for $1,000,000+.

Allows courts to aggregate value across multiple fraud violations in a course of conduct involving related crimes to determine offense degree, applicable to one or more victims.

Expands the use of the telemarketing fraud enforcement fund to cover investigation and prosecution of crimes by the consumer protection section, not just program administration and education.

Information gathered during Attorney General investigations is classified as confidential law enforcement investigatory records under state public records law.