Hubbard native to conduct Dann probe

Tribune Chronicle
The state Legislature and attorney general office’s will move forward today on independent investigations of the sexual harassment scandal that has rocked Attorney General Marc Dann’s administration.

The Ohio House is expected to approve a bill that would give Ohio Inspector General Thomas Charles, a Hubbard native, the authority to look into the attorney general’s office. Under state law, the inspector general can only investigate agencies under the governor’s control.

The Senate will act Wednesday, and Gov. Ted Strickland has indicated he will sign the bill quickly.

Attorney General Marc Dann has said he would have his top legal assistant, Thomas Winters, appoint an independent investigator if nobody appeals disciplinary action taken after the internal report was completed 10 days ago. The deadline to appeal was 5 p.m. Monday.

It was unclear Monday whether there will be one or two investigations.

However Jason Stanford, Dann’s political spokesman, said the attorney general supports any independent investigation. Dann is ‘‘all for the inspector general, anything to get the facts out there. He wants to regain the public trust,’’ Stanford said.

After an internal probe, three top aides lost their jobs, and Dann faced calls from leaders in both parties to resign or be impeached. The House Democratic and Republican caucuses are both looking into the impeachment process and whether Dann has committed an impeachable offense.