The mysterious Political Action Committee that's sending attack ads via text message to voters in Trumbull county appears to have roots that trace back to a figure out of Wisconsin who's been at the center of several political scandals. 

21 News first reported on Wednesday about a group calling itself "Protect Our Valley Taxpayers" sending messages singling out officials including Trumbull county commissioner Rick Hernandez, Trumbull county auditor Martha Yoder and Columbiana County Democratic Party chair Charley Kidder. 

21 News has now received "designation of treasurer" paperwork from the Ohio Secretary of State's office for the group that, while not providing much information, does include one man's name: Thomas Datwyler of Hudson Wisconsin. 

This led to suspicion from those in the valley across the political spectrum.

“You never know who is behind it and what their motivation is, who is paying for it, what’s their objective. I don’t care if they’re attacking a Democrat or a Republican,” said Dave Johnson, chairman of the Columbiana County Republican Party.

Mark Alberini, chairman of the Trumbull County Democratic Party, sent 21 News the following statement:

“The Trumbull County Democratic Party was recently made aware of the formation of a Political Action Committee (PAC) called Protect Our Valley Taxpayers through a report by WFMJ. We want to make it unequivocally clear that the local Democratic Party has no knowledge of this PAC, its organizers, or its mission beyond what has been publicly reported. No one affiliated with this PAC has contacted anyone in party leadership.

To be clear, the Trumbull Democratic Party speak for ourselves. We reject outside organizations attempting to speak for us. We know our voters best because we have direct contact with them. Any attempt to suggest coordination or affiliation with our Party is misleading and unacceptable. We have no issue holding Republican officeholders accountable on our own.

It is important that Political organizations always be transparent about their leadership, funding, and objectives.  This is no exception.”

Charley Kidder, chairman of the Columbiana County Democratic Party told 21 News that transparency in these types of groups is important. 

“I think people should be able to say what they want about local politicians, but put their name to it. Most local politicians of both parties are doing it for the right reasons, to help the people in the valley. Someone from out of state trying to influence elections hurts both parties, and most importantly, members of the community,” said Kidder.

If Datwyler's name doesn't immediately ring a bell, some of the campaigns he's been involved with may. 

In Ohio, Datwyler served as treasurer for the failed Senate campaign of former Ohio treasurer Josh Mandel. Mandel lost that election, but faced a $15,080 fine from the Federal Elections Commission over failing to report funds in a timely manner . Datwyler was cited in the filing as being at fault in his official capacity as treasurer.

Datwyler was also listed as treasurer of a group called "Liberty Ohio, Inc," a nonprofit group that the Ohio Capital Journal reported was named in a subpoena related to the FirstEnergy bribery scandal. According to the Capital Journal, attorneys for former First Energy executive Mike Dowling were seeking records from three nonprofit groups related to their communications, including Liberty Ohio, Inc. and Thomas Datwyler specifically, along with another board member, Scott Guthrie.

In 2024, Cleveland.com reported that documents show that First Energy gave Liberty Ohio, Inc, $300,000 at a time when First Energy was trying to influence lawmakers as part of the largest bribery scheme in Ohio history. A First Energy lobbyist had referred to Liberty as then-Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman's "C4," and that "we're going to need some (C)(4) infusion," saying that Huffman "wants us to give a LOT." 

C4 is a reference to 501(c)(4) groups, commonly referred to as "dark money" groups that are allowed to raise unlimited amounts of money for candidates, but cannot coordinate directly with them. 

“It takes on something of a nonprofit charitable characteristic for tax purposes, but the consequences is that the dollars are not disclosed,” said Dr. Bill Binning, 21 News legal analyst. 

Outside of Ohio, Datwyler's name is also well-known. 

Datwyler was the treasurer of a group in Maryland called "Dan Cox for Congress," a group appearing to support former Maryland gubernatorial candidate Dan Cox. The problem is Cox had not filed to run and had to report the fake committee. 

Datwyler was also the subject of national news when disgraced former congressman George Santos claimed Datwyler was the treasurer on his campaign, only for Datwyler to claim he had not accepted the job. 

Santos went on to be expelled from Congress over a series of increasingly implausible lies about his background and resume. 

Datwyler is listed as the CEO of Ax Capital Compliance, a group that, according to its web site, oversees "every dollar and every detail" of a campaign's finances "to ensure you are entirely compliant." 

21 News has reached out to Datwyler by phone and email for comment on what his interest in the Mahoning Valley may be, but he has not yet responded.