Source: www.OhioNewsNow.comOhio AG Marc Dann to Resign
COLUMBUS, Ohio —
Attorney General Marc Dann will announce his resignation from office on Tuesday afternoon, according to a report published by the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Dann was to inform his senior staff of the decision later in the day, the Plain Dealer reported.
The report of Dann’s resignation came on the same day that Ohio House Democrats moved to impeach the embattled attorney general.
Democrats filed articles of impeachment against Dann following a sexual harassment investigation inside his office. The resolution outlined nine charges against the attorney general.
Democrats said they drafted the charges based on sworn testimony obtained during an internal investigation into sexual harassment claims made against a former attorney general aide, as well as other statements.
The charges alleged that Dann willfully and intentionally issued misleading statements under oath and committed acts of gross immorality and knew or should have known that his personal conduct undermined the effectiveness and efficiency of the office.
Dann was also accused of obstructing the investigation into the sexual harassment claims.
Other charges included:
Nonfeasance and Gross Neglect of Duty: Neglected to perform the official duties of his office and, by his own admission, was not competent or qualified to execute the duties of the office of Attorney General
Nonfeasance and Neglect: Failed to exercise due care in the administration of the office because he knew or should have known his personal conduct contributed to and allowed the creation of a hostile work environment
Nonfeasance and Neglect: Failed to exercise due care to ensure the safety and security of state property
Nonfeasance and Neglect: Failed to investigate and prohibit improper use of state property
Nonfeasance and Neglect: Knew or should have known of the misuse of state property for personal business
Gross Neglect of Duty: Committed acts of gross neglect of duty by undermining the integrity of his office; bringing disrepute upon the office; betraying the public trust as Ohio's chief law enforcement officer; undermining the effectiveness and efficiency of the office
The impeachment articles must get Republican support in order to send the charges to the Senate for a trial.
The move by Democrats came after an internal investigation led to the ousting of three of Dann's top aides on May 2, 10TV News reported.
Two female staffers claimed that Dann's general services director, Anthony Gutierrez, pressured them to have sex with him.
Gutierrez and Leo Jennings III, Dann's communications chief, were terminated in light of the investigation's findings.
Ed Simpson, who served as chief of policy and administration, offered his resignation the night before the findings were made public, 10TV News reported.
Dann came under more criticism when he admitted an affair with an office employee.
State Democrats, including Gov. Ted Strickland, called for Dann to resign immediately, or face impeachment.
In a memo to his office staff, Dann acknowledged the request, but gave no indication that he would resign.
This past weekend, the Ohio Democratic Party executive committee stripped Dann of their 2006 endorsement, 10TV News reported.
The resolution essentially left Dann without any support from his political party.
Good. Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out ...
