Lorain/Elyria, OH
ALERT: Inspectors take materials from Dann’s office
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State lawmakers on Tuesday authorized Inspector General Tom Charles to investigate Dann, a Democrat, as they pursue impeachment proceedings against him. Both parties have called on him to resign following a sexual harassment scandal in his office and his admission to an affair with an employee.
On Tuesday, he tried to negotiate a deal that was rejected by legislative leaders.
Charles visited Dann on Wednesday before removing materials from his office. Dann was also visited by Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher, a fellow Democrat and long-time mentor, who called their discussions productive and professional. Fisher declined to discuss the details.
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COLUMBUS (AP) — A spokesman for Attorney General Marc Dann says no announcement regarding Dann’s political future is planned at this time.
Dann’s political spokesman, Jason Stanford, told The Associated Press that he has no knowledge of such an event being called Wednesday afternoon.
Dann left his
Ted Hart, a spokesman for Dann’s office, says he knows of no annoucement planned for Wednesday, although that may change.
COLUMBUS (AP) — Embattled Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann was consulting with his close friend and adviser, Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher, on Wednesday in an advance of an expected announcement about his political future.
Fisher declined to give details of the two men’s talks.
“We’ve had very positive, cordial conversations and they’ve been candid conversations,” Fisher said. “But one of our ground rules is that those conversations are confidential.”
The state watchdog, Inspector General Tom Charles, also paid Dann a visit Wednesday. State lawmakers gave Charles the authority to launch an investigation into Dann’s office in legislation hastily passed and enacted Tuesday.
Dann’s political spokesman Jason Stanford says Dann will talk at noon on Wednesday. He would not preview the remarks but told The Columbus Dispatch that “attendance is mandatory.” A pair of spokesmen at the Attorney General’s office said they were still unaware of Dann’s plans.
Dann, a Democrat, admitted May 2 to an extramarital affair with an employee that he said contributed to an atmosphere leading to sexual harassment claims against a top aide.
Three aides were forced out in the harassment investigation that showed management encouraged a casual work environment with frequent profanity and inappropriate interactions with subordinates.
On Tuesday, Dann tried to negotiate his exit from office but balked when colleagues would not give him a 90-day break on the start of Charles’ investigation.
Also Tuesday, House Democrats tried to start impeachment proceedings against Dann — only to be dismissed as moving too fast by the Republicans in power.
Dann’s talks with Fisher followed a roller coaster series of events Tuesday that saw Dann offering to succumb to demands he resign, but only under certain conditions. Rebuffed, Dann retreated, dug in his heels and by day’s end said he was staying.
Democratic Rep. Robert Hagan and a spokeswoman for Republican Senate President Bill Harris said Dann wanted a bill that allows Charles to investigate his office to take effect in 90 days, instead of immediately after Gov. Ted Strickland signed it.
Lawmakers approved the bill Tuesday and Strickland, a Democrat, signed it Tuesday evening. Earlier in the day, House Democrats also tried to start impeachment proceedings against Dann, only to be dismissed as moving too fast by the Republicans in power.
Regarding the investigation bill, Dann had asked Republican House Speaker Jon Husted in a phone call Tuesday to remove the measure requiring it to take effect immediately, but Husted refused, Hagan said.
Husted spokeswoman Karen Stivers confirmed that Dann made the call to Husted. Dann was upset over the developments, but no deal was made and the word “resignation” was not mentioned, she said.
At Dann’s request, Hagan said he asked Harris if he would remove the measure, but Harris also declined.
Harris spokeswoman Maggie Ostrowski said the Senate president was not interested in cutting a deal with Dann.
Senate Minority Leader Ray Miller told The Columbus Dispatch that a resignation appeared forthcoming, but he did not say exactly when Dann was likely to step down.
“We were told it is very likely he is going to resign,” Democratic Sen. Teresa Fedor of
Dann was among four Democrats swept into statewide office in 2006 in the wake of a Republican scandal over state investments managed by a prominent GOP donor.
House Democrats had drafted nine articles of impeachment against Dann, ranging from allegations of gross immorality to obstructing the investigation into his office and making misleading statements.
The Democrats’ resolution, researched by three lawmakers, accused Dann of making misleading statements under oath and said he should have known his actions created a hostile work environment.
Husted ridiculed Democrats for what he called the “political act” of rashly filing impeachment articles to appear tough on a member of their own party.
Democrats need backing from Republicans who control the Legislature in order to send the impeachment charges to the Senate for a trial. Republicans first want the assistance of the inspector general before proceeding with impeachment, while Democrats believe their impeachment proposal is sufficient to move forward immediately.
If Dann resigns or is impeached, Strickland would appoint a successor. Voters would need to confirm Strickland’s pick at the polls on the same day they’ll vote for president, Nov. 4.
On Saturday, the Ohio Democratic Party stripped Dann of his endorsement, saying he can consider himself a Democrat but that the party would work against him if he seeks re-election.
Republicans would have a chance to capitalize on the scandal and seize the hard-won statewide post. Fisher, State Treasurer Richard Cordray and higher education Chancellor Eric Fingerhut have all been mentioned as possible replacements for Dann.
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Question is will we the people be told the whole truth of the story when the investigation is done or will it be swept under the political red carpet as time goes on?
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Investigators will find absolutely NOTHING in these materials. He had plenty of time to destroy what he didn’t want disclosed and I will guarantee it was all done by his delays for the last 10 days. Don’t waste any more of my tax dollars by dragging on this investigation!
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