No place to run, No place to hide
No limits on Dann probe
10-plus agencies collaborating, inspector says
Ohio Inspector General Thomas P. Charles says the focus of his investigation of former Attorney General Marc Dann is simple: “everything and anything.”
Charles and a diverse task force involving 10 or more state and federal agencies will probe a broad range of issues, some of them potentially criminal, in a one-of-a-kind investigation authorized by the legislature and approved by Gov. Ted Strickland this week.
“We have no agenda other than to do this right and do it fair,” Charles said. “We’ll leave the chips fall where they may.
“Everybody is on board. There aren’t going to be a bunch of separate investigations.”
Charles briefed reporters yesterday, a day after the investigation began with Wednesday’s shock-and-awe raid on Dann’s offices in Columbus and Youngstown. Computers, telephones, other electronic devices and what Charles called “a lot” of documents were seized. Dann’s computer, BlackBerry and state vehicle, a Chevy Suburban, were seized.
Reportedly stunned by the raid, Dann, 46, a Democrat elected in 2006, resigned Wednesday after 5 1/2 weeks of intense scrutiny over sexual-harassment complaints and allegations of cronyism and mismanagement in his office. He was attorney general less than 17 months.
The emergency legislation empowers the inspector general to head the investigation just this once. Charles’ agency is normally limited to investigating those agencies under the governor’s control.
The far-reaching bill tells Charles to “investigate the management and operation of the office of the attorney general to determine whether misconduct or wrongful acts or omissions have been or are being committed by the attorney general or by present or former employees or contractors with that office.” He is to report his findings to the governor and legislative leaders.
The investigators
These state and federal agencies are expected to be part of the investigation of the attorney general’s office under Marc Dann:
• Ohio auditor
• Department of Administrative Services
• Ohio Elections Commission
• Ohio Ethics Commission
• Ohio inspector general
• State Highway Patrol
• Secretary of state
• Franklin County prosecutor
• FBI
• Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
• Other federal agencies as needed
Weighing in on Marc Dann’s resignation
From the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Attorney General Marc Dann resigns
Posted by Aaron Marshall
May 14, 2008 16:31PM
Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann announced he was quitting Wednesday during a late afternoon press conference with Gov. Ted Strickland by his side.
“Unfortunately, the last step I must take as Attorney General to resolve these problems is to resign as Attorney General ” said Dann as he read from a prepared statement at the governor’s Statehouse cabinet office. “It is my belief that this will preserve the great work being done by the office of Attorney General.”
While Dann did not take questions from the reporters assembled, Strickland answered questions from the media.
Strickland said Dann “has come to realize the seriousness of the situation” as “growing recognition from around the state” piled up asking for him to leave.
Marc Dann finally resigns
Marc Dann Announces Resignation
COLUMBUS, Ohio — For nearly two weeks, Attorney General Marc Dann has been fighting calls for his resignation, stating that he wants to go back to work for the people of Ohio. On Wednesday, Dann succumbed to the immense pressure to resign, announcing he will step down from his position, effective immediately.
State officials began seeking Dann’s resignation after a scandal inside his office that resulted in the firing of two top aides amid a sexual harassment investigation.
The announcement was made during a news conference held by Dann and Gov. Ted Strickland late Wednesday afternoon.
Immediately after making his statement, Dann left the news conference without taking any questions.
Gov. Strickland said Dann, “did the honorable thing by resigning today. We are pleased that he has tendered his resignation.”
According to Strickland, First Assistant Attorney General Tom Winters will assume authority of Attorney General until Strickland appoints an interim Attorney General. He said he has not yet decided on a replacement.
When asked what he was looking for in the next attorney general, Strickland replied, “maturity.”
When asked about Lt. Governor Lee Fisher as a possible replacement, Strickland said he would consider Fisher for any important position.
Strickland said neither he nor his office made any sort of deal with Dann in exchange for his resignation.
A Noon news conference was originally scheduled on Wednesday, but the event was canceled and no announcement was made.
There was wide speculation on Tuesday that Dann would announce his resignation, but his office issued several statements, saying that Dann would continue to do his job.
House democrats filed nine articles of impeachment against Dann on Tuesday, outlining why he should be impeached, including gross neglect of duties and making misleading statements under oath.
Also on Tuesday, Gov. Strickland signed Senate Bill 3, which amended state law to allow the inspector general’s office to look into the attorney general’s office. Before the bill’s passing, the inspector general could only investigate state agencies and the governor’s office.
Marc Dann has resigned as Attorney General effective immediately
Marc Dann has resigned as the Attorney General effective immediately.
We’ll have the complete statement as soon as possible.
This however is only the beginning since there will be extensive investigations.
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