From The Cincinatti Enqurier:

A story on The Columbus Dispatch’s Web site today said Mallory acknowledged he would be interested in being appointed to the job if Treasurer Richard Cordray is elected attorney general in November. Veteran reporter Joe Hallett, whom Mallory has known for years, quotes the mayor this way: “Before I even think about it, Rich Cordray has to be elected.”

The story also said, “Asked whether he plans to run for re-election, Mallory said: ‘If I’m not appointed treasurer, I’ll be re-elected mayor.’ “

Mallory today did not deny making those statements. But he said important context was missing, that the treasurer questions were tossed out off-handedly by the reporter at the end of an interview about the NAACP convention.

“You will see,” the mayor said, “that there’s no quote where I said I’m interested in being the treasurer.”