Ohio church groups warned yesterday that casinos could breed corruption at the Statehouse, saying that supporters of a ballot measure to expand gambling already have bought the support of an influential police group.

The Fraternal Order of Police fired back, accusing the church groups of misrepresenting the importance of $13 million in annual funding for police training in persuading the union to back the casino ballot issue.

The back-and-forth underscored the controversial role of the statewide police union, which has opposed gambling measures in the past but supports Issue 3 on the November ballot. Backers of the measure, which would authorize casinos in Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland and Toledo, point to the union's support as evidence that the proposal would improve public safety in communities across Ohio.

The Rev. John Edgar, chairman of the United Methodist Anti-Gambling Task Force, sees it differently. At a Statehouse news conference, Edgar suggested that gambling interests have bought the support of the FOP by earmarking 2 percent of casino taxes -- an estimated $13 million a year -- for police training.

The majority of casino taxes would go to counties and cities, helping to boost salaries and staffing in police departments and sheriff's offices.

"We have seen the FOP be bought, and we haven't even started yet," Edgar said.

The FOP acknowledged that the funding for local governments played a role in its endorsement, but the union said there's nothing sinister about that.

"Church organizations have every right to express their opinions on gambling in general and Issue 3 in particular," said Mark Drum, secretary/treasurer of the union, "but we have that same right. Questioning the motives of our members in endorsing Issue 3 is outside the bounds of fair campaigning."

Edgar was joined at the news conference by leaders of the Ohio Council of Churches, which also condemned the casino measure as an affront to families.

The religious leaders also spoke against Gov. Ted Strickland's plan for slot machines at racetracks -- a plan that suffered a major setback with an Ohio Supreme Court ruling last week -- and they urged Strickland to end his effort.

Meanwhile, the Ohio Elections Commission dismissed a complaint yesterday by casino supporters accusing an opponent, TruthPAC, of making false statements in TV and radio ads questioning whether casino jobs would go to Ohio workers.

jnash@dispatch.com