[updatex2] BREAKING: Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann to resign today

Here’s the news from OPENERS at the Plain Dealer:

Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann is expected to announce his resignation later today, The Plain Dealer has learned. He planned to break the news to his senior staff this afternoon.

The decision came as Dann faced intense pressure from fellow Democrats and Republican critics who said he was not fit to continue as the state’s top lawyer.

It also followed action targeting Dann in the Ohio General Assembly today by lawmakers from both parties. House Democrats this morning filed articles of impeachment against Dann, accusing him of misconduct and malfeasance in office. And House Republicans began plans to fast-track a bill that would allow the state Inspector General’s office to conduct an independent investigation into Dann’s office.

…

Democrats have said Dann knew or should have known that Gutierrez and others were making a mockery of the office and done something about it.

But while Gutierrez, Jennings, former Chief of Staff Edgar Simpson and former scheduler Jessica Utovich, the 28-year-old woman Dann was linked to, all lost their jobs in the wake of the investigation, Dann had vowed to stay on. He admitted to running his office poorly but said things had been improving under his leadership. Dann also had said admitting his affair to his wife, Alyssa Lenhoff, was punishment enough for him.

Hattip to Plunderbund.

More thoughts later.

UPDATE: Columbus Dispatch says Dann is trying to strike a deal that would prohibit an external investigation but quotes House leader Jon Husted (R):

House Speaker Jon A. Husted said he talked with Dann today but he did not want to detail what he said was a private conversation. Regardless whether Dann resigns, Husted said he intends to move forward with the bill authorizing Charles to investigate.

“There are more issues at stake than just the attorney general’s resignation,” Husted said.

I can only imagine.

UPDATEx2: Retracting resignation plan? From the Tribune-Chronicle:

State Rep. Bob Hagan, D-Youngstown, said Marc Dann will not resign today despite published reports to the contrary.

Hagan told the Tribune Chronicle this afternoon that he served as emissary between House and Senate leaders to broker a deal for Dann’s resignation. However, Hagan said when the House refused to take an emergency clause out of a bill to allow the inspector general to investigate, a deal for Dann’s resignation fell through.

The emergency clause allows the inspector general to investigate immediately. Hagan said Dann wanted more time.

Meanwhile, many media outlets around Ohio are reporting that Dannás resignation is expected between 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. today.

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By Jill Miller Zimon at 2:53 pm May 13th, 2008 in Ted Strickland, Gender, Marc Dann, Statehouse, Scandal, Ohio, Women, Government, Politics

Comments

7 Responses to “[updatex2] BREAKING: Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann to resign today”

1 Marwood on May 13th, 2008 3:49 pm

The Dispatch is reporting that he’s trying to negotiate the terms of his departure, so that the Inspector General won’t pursue his investigation. I can’t see what leverage Dann has, however.

I’m so happy this appears to be over. (Famous last words, I know.)
2 Jill Miller Zimon on May 13th, 2008 3:54 pm

Marc really really really does not get it, does he? Seems now that an independent investigation is precisely what he may have been fearing all along, between not having the complaints go to the OCRC which goes back to the AG’s Civil Rights Section, whichever one that is, not appointing an external investigator in the first place and not recognizing on his own, months ago, that people needed to go and he didn’t make them go.

Sigh. The shallowness of understanding, by him, of the impact of what’s transpired is just unbelievable to me.
3 Ben K on May 13th, 2008 4:25 pm

#1 right.

Not sure what cards he has to play except force impeachment, which he probably doesnt want to do.
4 Bill on May 13th, 2008 4:50 pm

Dann negotiating his resignation in return for a delay in the investigation? Don’t fall for it. Why delay? To wipe computers clean, like the one in the Youngstown office? To shred files? Take him out today in handcuffs please.
5 Marwood on May 13th, 2008 8:49 pm

I spoke too soon. He can’t even resign competently.
6 Judy on May 13th, 2008 9:33 pm

What a disappointment.
7 Jill Miller Zimon on May 14th, 2008 8:44 am

Thanks for reading and commenting, Judy. I know exactly how you feel.