TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) -- Former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland says he doesn't remember hearing allegations that an Ohio solar panel maker had improperly used state money for loans to its executives.

The Blade in Toledo ( http://bit.ly/IeYRdE ) reports William Mitchell made the allegations in emails to his attorney after being fired in 2009 as chief executive of Willard & Kelsey Solar Group in Perrysburg. The attorney told company lawyers he'd contacted then-Gov. Strickland's chief counsel.

Strickland says he was familiar with the company and would have remembered it if he'd heard such allegations.

His chief counsel, Kent Markus, now work at the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. It says Markus can't access records that could show whether he received information about the allegations or took action.

Willard & Kelsey officials deny improperly spending state money.

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Information from: The Blade, http://www.toledoblade.com/