Ohio AG Marc Dann Resigns, But State Probe of His Office May Continue
After sidestepping yesterday afternoon when several media reports said he was about to resign, Ohio’s attorney general stepped up to the plate today.
Marc Dann, 46, announced his resignation, apparently effective immediately, despite a reported failure to work out a departure deal with state legislators and the governor’s office, according to the Politics Blog of the Plain Dealer, a Cleveland newspaper. His office had been in turmoil, and was being referred to by some critics as “Dannimal House” after a sexual harassment probe involving others in Dann’s office and an admitted extramarital affair by the attorney general.
The week has been a wild ride for Dann and his employees, especially after a dozen agents from the Ohio inspector general’s office arrived at Dann’s office yesterday to begin an independent investigation, the blog reports. “The investigators confiscated computer equipment, and State Highway Patrol officers were on the ground floor of the tower checking people’s badges and belongings as they entered and left. Apparently, the patrol was targeting employees of the attorney general’s office for bag searches. One source said the patrol was checking to be sure no one left with sensitive documents.”
First assistant attorney general Tom Winters is now the acting attorney general in Ohio, until the governor names a successor to Dann. A new attorney general would then be elected in November.
Additional coverage:
Columbus Business First: “Dann resigns as Ohio attorney general”
Akron Beacon Journal: ” Attorney General Dann resigns”
ABAJournal.com (May 13): “Ohio AG to Resign Over ‘Dannimal House’ Scandal?”
