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Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Dann rebuffs investigator's report

Marc Dann (D)

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline)-Disgraced former Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann says a recent report about his time as the state's chief legal officer is unfair.

He said the report by state Inspector General Thomas P. Charles is filled with innuendo and that Charles had a "clear bias" against him, the Columbus Dispatch reported Saturday.

Last week, Charles's report on Dann's 17 months in office found that the Democrat engaged in at least two dozen acts of wrongdoing.

For instance, Dann created a corporation that solicited more than $195,000 in unreported donations. The report said all but about $8,000 was spent, including $12,000 that went to his wife's business, Zesty Dishes.

"Regrettably, Marc Dan used his position as attorney general to indulge himself, his family and his friends," the report said. "By tapping these easily available contributions, which were given to him by more-than-willing interested outside parties, he supplemented his statutory wage from the state of Ohio and used the money to pay personal expenses that had no relation to his office or his campaign."

The report also found that Dann's office tolerated the sexual harassment and other inappropriate behavior. Dann put friends and cronies into key positions in the attorney general's office, which helped turn the office into a "house of scandal," the 71-page report said.

"The rude, vulgar and abusive conduct of senior management, including the attorney general himself, created a hostile work environment that is an embarrassment to state government," the report said.

Dann resigned May 14 amid a sexual harassment scandal and after admitting to an extra-marital affair with a staffer. Dann has denied allegations of wrongdoing.

Following Dann's resignation, Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland appointed Nancy Rogers to fill the post until January. State Treasurer Richard Cordray, a Democrat, won the Nov. 4 election for attorney general.

From Legal Newsline: Reach reporter Chris Rizo at chrisrizo@legalnewsline.com.

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