Just the facts ma’am

May 15, 2008 · Filed Under Uncategorized · Comments Off 

Here we go Lord only knows what will come out of this

Inspector general promises thorough probe of Dann’s office

Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:46 PM
By Alan Johnson
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Ohio Inspector General Thomas P. Charles and a diverse investigative team will look at “ everything and anything we find that’s alleged to be wrongdoing” in a probe of former Attorney General Marc Dann’s office.Charles briefed reporters this morning on the investigation that began with yesterday’s shock-and-awe raid on Dann’s offices in Columbus and Youngstown. Computers, telephones, other electronic devices were confiscated, along with what Charles called “a lot” of documents.

Dann, 46, a Democrat elected in 2006, resigned yesterday following 5 1/2 weeks of intense scrutiny about sexual harassment and other allegations of wrongdoing in his office. He was in office just 17 months.

At least 10 federal and state agencies are forming a task force to investigate a broad range of potential problems, included sexual harassment, obstruction of justice, perjury, misuse of state property and other issues.

“We have no agenda other than to do this right and do it fair,” Charles said.

He said there is no timetable for the inquiry. Gov. Ted Strickland will appoint an interim replacement for Dann until Ohio voters will select someone in the Nov. 4 election to serve out the remainder of Dann’s term, which expires in January 2011.

Legislation approved on lighting track by the General Assembly and signed by Gov. Ted Strickland empowered the inspector general to head the investigation on a one-time basis. Charles’ agency is normally limited to only those agencies under the governor’s control.

New Investigations

May 15, 2008 · Filed Under Uncategorized · Comment 

This could be really interesting.

New Dann Investigation Begins

Thursday, May 15, 2008 12:55 PM
Updated: Thursday, May 15, 2008 01:08 PM

COLUMBUS, Ohio — State Inspector General Tom Charles on Thursday said his phone has been “ ringing off the hook” with people willing to offer information about former Attorney General Marc Dann.

Dann resigned from office Wednesday following a sex scandal that plagued his office for more than a month.
Earlier this week, lawmakers passed a bill giving Charles authority to conduct an investigation of Dann’s office. After Dann announced his resignation, Gov. Ted Strickland said that Charles’ investigation would proceed as planned, 10TV’s John Fortney reported.
On Thursday, Charles gave no timeline regarding his investigation, but said the inquiry would be a broad sweep aided by the Ohio Ethics Commission, the Franklin County prosecutor, the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the state auditor.
According to Charles, many people have contacted his office with information about the former attorney general.
“Our phones have, I say, have been ringing off the hook,” Charles said. “We’ve had a number of phone calls of people wanting to talk. People wanting to complain and people that want to give us evidence. We’ll accept all that.”
Charles did not elaborate on the identities of the callers, Fortney reported.
The inspector general confirmed that documents and computer equipment were confiscated this week from Dann’s offices in Columbus and Youngstown.
Charles said there had been no efforts to impede the investigation.