COLUMBUS — Having come up empty in state and federal courts with appeals, former Toledo-area coin dealer Tom Noe today put his hopes on fellow Republican Gov. John Kasich to end his prison sentence for stealing from investments he managed for the state’s fund for injured workers.

Jo Ellen Smith, spokesman for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, confirmed that a clemency petition was filed with the Ohio Parole Board by Noe’s attorney. The petition is not considered a public document, but any hearing held based on his request would be public.

The request was then expected to be delivered to Mr. Kasich’s office.

Noe could request a full pardon or commutation of his sentence to time already served.

Earlier this year Noe dropped what might have been his final Coingate-related appeal before the Cincinnati-based U.S. District Court of Appeals. He was convicted in 2006 of stealing $13.7 million from $50 million in investments the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation made in rare-coin and collectible funds he administered.

He’s currently serving an 18-year sentence on state theft and related charges after having completed a federal prison term related to using local conduits to illegally launder campaign contributions to then-President George W. Bush’s 2004 re-election campaign.

Without intervention, Noe, 60, will not be released from prison until Oct. 22, 2026. His most recent appeal was denied by a U.S. District Court judge in Akron.

The state parole board would review his clemency application and related documents and decide whether to take the next step of holding a public hearing. Noe would testify, most likely via video. The board would also hear from his attorney and any witnesses favoring or opposing the request.

The board would then issue a recommendation to the governor, who could agree or disagree.

Noe is currently incarcerated at the Hocking prison in Nelsonville, part of Ohio’s Southern Correctional Complex.

First Published March 13, 2015, 7:30 p.m.