Embattled Ohio Attorney General Dann resigns

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Facing possible impeachment, Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann resigned Wednesday amid the scandal of a sexual harassment investigation in his office and his extramarital affair.

Dann, a Democrat elected on an anti-corruption platform in 2006, has led the state on a 10-day odyssey, at first refusing to resign despite demands by Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland and others within his party, a growing number of investigations into conduct at his office, and the filing Tuesday of articles of impeachment against him.

Appearing beside Strickland, the 46-year-old from Youngstown said he had realized it was necessary to leave to preserve the ability of the office to carry out the priorities he established.

``It is now clear to me that the only way to protect these priorities for the office of attorney general and for the people of Ohio is to remove myself from the situation,'' he said. ``This will preserve the great work being done by the office of attorney general.''

Dann said he was leaving the news conference to join his wife and children at home.

``It is now my highest priority to focus on my family,'' Dann said.

Dann 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, which showed managers encouraged a casual work environment with frequent profanity and inappropriate interactions with subordinates.

Strickland, who led the call for Dann to resign or be impeached, didn't name a replacement but said he would immediately begin reviewing possible successors. Voters would need to confirm Strickland's pick at the polls on the same day they'll vote for president, Nov. 4.

``Maturity,'' Strickland said without hesitation, asked what qualities he would look for in a new attorney general.

``We need someone who can provide confidence to the many, many employees of the attorney general's office,'' Strickland said.

He said an investigation of the attorney's general office under Dann by state watchdog Tom Charles will continue. Dann on Tuesday asked that the investigation be delayed but was rebuffed by legislative leaders.

Dann spoke for less than three minutes Wednesday and left Strickland's ceremonial Statehouse room without taking questions.

Strickland said Dann did the honorable thing by stepping down.

``This decision will allow the important work of the attorney general's office to continue without the distraction caused by recent events,'' Strickland said.

Strickland called it a sad day and said Dann accomplished many things in his relatively short time in office.

``It is appropriate for us all to acknowledge the personal pain and anguish that these events have caused the attorney general, his family members, his staff and others,'' Strickland said.

Under law, first assistant attorney general Tom Winters will assume the responsibilities of attorney general until Strickland names a replacement.

Among those mentioned as possible successors are Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher, higher education chancellor Eric Fingerhut, state Treasurer Richard Cordray, Cuyahoga County prosecutor Bill Mason and Kent Markus, Strickland's chief legal counsel.

Attorney Rex Elliott, who represented two 26-year-old junior staffers whose sexual harassment complaints against a Dann aide unraveled things at the office, called Dann's resignation long overdue. He anticipates his clients will have a much better chance at negotiating a legal settlement for damages now that Dann is gone.

``Before I was looking at discussions with the person responsible for this three-ring circus,'' Elliott said. ``Now, I can talk to someone who is independent and objective.''

Two employees fired as a result of the investigation, general services chief Anthony Gutierrez and communications director Leo Jennings III, did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

Those of both political parties said Dann did the right thing by resigning.

Republican Betty Montgomery, who twice served as state attorney general, said, ``It's going to take a long time to repair all this. It's distracting to the office that has the mission to serve the people of Ohio and this has been a long distraction.''

She said the inspector general's raid of the office Wednesday was ``a shame, an embarrassment'' to the office's hundreds of career employees.

Deputies of the state's top watchdog removed a cartload of computers and files from the office.

Ohio Democratic Chairman Chris Redfern said he's not worried about Dann's actions causing Democrats to lose the seat to Republicans in the November election.

``Republicans circle the wagons when they get in trouble,'' Redfern said. ``Ohioans know that we hold ourselves accountable. It's been a challenging week, but we can overcome this.''

House Democratic Leader Joyce Beatty said she believes Dann has now been held accountable for his conduct.

``As we have said before, we promised the people of Ohio to end a culture of corruption that existed in the past, and we are fulfilling that promise by cleaning our own house,'' she said.