Investigation reveals extent of Attorney General corruption
From Sunshine Review
24 December 2008
After a seven month long investigation by the Ohio Inspector General's office, citizens have finally learned the extent of the corruption in the office of former Attorney General Marc Dann. What began with a sex scandal has revealed that Dann used millions of dollars of taxpayer money for personal gain, among other abuses.[1]
[edit] Scandal and resignation
Dann resigned as attorney general last May following a sex scandal in his office. It began when Dann's friend/roommate/general services director Anthony Gutierrez sexually harassed two office employees.
Following the fallout from the scandal, the Inspector General and other agencies began investigations into other alleged abuses that occurred in the office.[2]
[edit] IG Report
The IG report, which totals 71 pages, effectively shows that the sex scandal was only the tip of the iceberg. It states, "While it is appalling that the office of the 'people's lawyer' should have to conduct classes on civility and decorum, we find it even more appalling that Dann hired friends and acquaintances into key management positions despite the fact that the people were unqualified or faced serious legal problems that should have raised red flags."[1]
Dann spent millions of dollars in taxpayer money on equipment, including nearly $2 million on cars, $30,000 on portable electronics for employees in his office, and thousands for illegal personal use of state airplanes. The report also says Dann used campaign contributions as a "personal honey pot," which included illegally using the funds for his wife's business, his personal attorney in the sex scandal case, and security systems for him home.[1]
