05.05.08
When you’re in over your head
Oh, my. This is pretty bad—and he’s a Democrat, too:
Just 16 months into his four-year-term, Ohio’s attorney general admitted he was in over his head as he acknowledged an affair with a subordinate and his failure to stop problems that led to a sexual harassment investigation that brought down three of his aides.
Marc Dann apologized to his wife and supporters but insisted he would not step down. He took responsibility for the scandal, saying he was not prepared for the office or to run such a large agency.
“I did not create an atmosphere in my public and personal life that is consistent with the important mission of the Office of Attorney General,” the Democrat said Friday after the three aides were fired or forced out in the harassment investigation. “I am heartbroken by my failure to recognize the problems being created and by my failure to stop them.”
Dann had punted the probe to a well-respected lieutenant, state Sen. Ben Espy. The investigation uncovered a seedy underside to the office rife with booze, profanity, inappropriate sexual activity, misuse of state vehicles and on-the-job threats involving the Mafia.
Fired were Anthony Gutierrez, who led Dann’s general services office, and his communications director, Leo Jennings. Edgar Simpson, Dann’s policy chief, was forced to resign. But Espy conceded that he had no authority to take action against Dann, his boss and a constitutional officer elected by voters.
Ohio GOP chairman Bob Bennett called Dann “unfit for the job of attorney general since he took office,” and Kevin DeWine, the parties deputy chairman, said Dann allowed immoral and unethical behavior to thrive in his office.
“He turned the attorney general’s office into a raunchy frat pad,” he said.
Even Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland, on whose coattails Dann rode into office in 2006, expressed disappointment over the attorney general’s behavior. He said the monthlong investigation into the harassment claims of two 26-year-old staffers showed a “double standard” with Dann staying while some employees were let go.
Dann, 46, said his affair was consensual and refused to disclose the name of the employee. He said the relationship came during a difficult time in his marriage, but that it “was wrong and I deeply regret it.”
Zach said,
5 May 2008 at 12:24 pm
Michael when you say “and he’s a Democrat, too” one might mistakenly infer that you are suggesting that power hungry democrats should be held accountable on a higher level of sexual propriety than their power hungry republican counterparts. Just wanted to point that out.
LeisureGuy said,
5 May 2008 at 12:31 pm
If I don’t mention his party affiliation, it might be thought that I am quick to point to GOP connections in scandalous behavior but try to downplay Democratic connections. And, to be honest, I expect better of Democrats. The GOP in recent years has pretty much established itself as a party of corruption and scandal, so one expects the trend to continue. But Democratic corruption is just as bad, of course: “Dollar” Bill Jefferson, Stony Hoyer’s efforts to let the Telecoms off the hook, Chuck Schumer and Dianne Feinstein’s support of Mukasey (and Dianne Feinstein’s support of Telecom immunity): all that is bad stuff.
Zach said,
5 May 2008 at 12:47 pm
Sure, you expect better of democrats because you equate them with ‘us’ and we hold ourselves in high regard; the way I think is that government, as a whole, is ‘them’ so I don’t detract from the objectivity. I don’t know you that well, but I don’ think you the type to run for office, to want to lobby, to want that power. So I would use ‘us’ (me and you) and ‘them’ (them) and would not be surprised at anything ‘they’ do, being as how they want so much to begin with. A simple device that keeps me centered!
Erin said,
13 May 2008 at 7:39 pm
What did this guy do exactly? Can we get allegations of “booze, profanity, inappropriate sexual activity, misuse of state vehicles and on-the-job threats involving the Mafia” on paper?
Lunch Admin. said,
14 May 2008 at 12:22 pm
Gee, in Ohio all one has to do is accuse somebody of wrongdoing …
LeisureGuy said,
14 May 2008 at 1:09 pm
The allegations were, as you see, reported by Associated Press. And, of course, quite a few of those in Ohio accused of wrongdoing and now under indictment or in jail (Coin-gate, Robert Ney, et al.). Ohio has a bad record of corrupt politicians.