Scathing Report Blisters Ex-Ohio AG
In a scathing multi-agency investigative report (PDF) released today by Ohio’s inspector general, former state attorney general Marc Dann is accused of personally participating in “rude, vulgar and abusive” treatment of employees.
Dann, who was forced to resign in May by a sexual harassment scandal in his office, also maintained an unregulated $195,000 account, funded by undisclosed donations, the report states. Much of the money in the account was paid for questionable expenditures, including checks written to Dann’s wife and a company she controlled, reports the Openers blog of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
During his less than two years in office, Dann hired cronies and “engaged in a pattern of unprofessional conduct that violated not only his own policy against harassment and discrimination but also his oath of office as an attorney and as the Ohio Attorney General,” the report states.
Among numerous criticisms, it accuses the ex-attorney general of “hir(ing) into his office a coterie of young women who were dubbed ‘the Dannettes.’ So unprofessional was the dress and conduct of some of these women that a project assistant in the office was assigned to conduct ettiquette classes for them.”
In response, Dann suggested that inspector general Thomas Charles has a vendetta against him, and said that the 71-page report contains minimal facts and much innuendo.
“Dann said all of the expenditures from his accounts were proper, and explained that the payments to his wife were for gifts for campaign supporters,” the blog recounts.
The report is being forwarded to state and local prosecutors, federal and state tax authorities, the Ohio Supreme Court’s disciplinary counsel, the Ohio Ethics Commission and the Ohio Elections Commission.
Earlier ABAJournal.com coverage:
Panel Addresses Sex Harassment Problems in Ohio AG’s Office
Who is Investigating Ex-Ohio AG Marc Dann? AP Counts Six Agencies
Ohio AG Marc Dann Resigns, But State Probe of His Office May Continue
