WHIO (Dayton) just reported that Dann has resigned.

[AngryOldDem]

I posted a Dispatch link in LBN that his resignation was imminent; apparently he announced it shortly before 5 p.m.

ON EDIT:

Updated from Dispatch -- http://www.columbusdispatch.com/

<<Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann resigned this afternoon, just hours after the inspector general's office launched a raid on his office.

The embattled Democrat made the announcement in a joint appearance with Gov. Ted Strickland in the governor's cabinet room, next to his Statehouse office. The governor called it a "sad day" for Ohio but said he is "pleased" Dann quit.

It's up to Strickland to appoint a successor until Ohioans vote in November on someone to fill out the final two years of Dann's term. Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher has been among those mentioned as a possible successor.<<

Good.

[Kukesa]

1. It's also on Ohio News Network with a short video. n/t

[geiger]

2. I heard that the acting replacement is Tom Noe's former lobbyist?

[AngryOldDem]

3. You're kidding, right?

But nothing would surprise me. I've been tied up elsewhere this morning and haven't had the stomach to go looking for the latest.

ON EDIT: It is true, but this is the law, apparently.

http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/05/15/copy/dann_done.html?adsec=politics&sid=101


<<Thomas R. Winters, Dann's top assistant, immediately took over as acting attorney general, as dictated by state law, pending an appointment by Strickland. Winters, a veteran lawyer and longtime Columbus political figure, has a resume that includes working for former House Speaker Vernal G. Riffe Jr. and serving as a lobbyist for now-imprisoned coin dealer Thomas W. Noe.<<

Actually, this article is a good read, because it's almost funny in spots. It describes Dann's "last meal" at a downtown Columbus restaurant, and has comments from a couple of the women involved that they regretted that things had to come to such a sorry pass, and that they hope that now maybe their lives can go on...

:nopity:

And then, there's this, which I just had to quote for the amusement of my good pal Kukesa:

<<After Dann's announcement yesterday, state Rep. Robert F. Hagan, a longtime friend from Youngstown, stood outside the governor's office looking as if he had been hit by one of the trains he engineers when he's not working as a lawmaker.

"This is a devastating blow for Marc Dann and his family," Hagan said, "and it's another black eye for the Mahoning Valley. It just hurts all of us.">>

[geiger]

4. sorry, not kidding.....

The person currently in charge of the A.G.'s office is First Assistant Attorney General Tom Winters.

Appointed by Dann, Mr. Winters was previously Tom Noe's lobbyist. Taft got convictd for not reporting golf games, Noe's top guy gets a job with the Dems.

[AngryOldDem]

5. We must have been posting at the same time.

See Dispatch link above.

[OhioBlue]

7. Dann must be a total idiot.

How in the world can you appoint Noe's former lobbyist as your First Assistant Attorney General?

well, not to mention the frat party atmosphere, the exploitation of women, the possible conflict of interest decisions, etc.

[geiger]

6. violins indeed.

:nopity: :nopity: :nopity:

[OhioBlue]

8. You know and I know why Hagan is sick to his stomach over this

And, I hope the Repubs think before they go full force trying to dig up more dirt on someone that already resigned. Unless they truly believe that serious crimes will be uncovered, they should not make this an even bigger national headline than it is.

Sure they can use it against the Dems, but Mahoning Valley is already depressed enough. They don't need another round of negative, National press coverage.

[Kolesar]

9. the postings in the Ohio forum in 2006 were that the ODP was infiltrated by republicans

The ODP was an organization with poor candidate recruiting, no issues, no message, no organization and, presumably, republicans in the organization who were compromising its effectiveness. Then we had a contest for a new chair and got new leadership.

[Kukesa]

10. How well I remember that. I stopped donating $$ at that time. n/t

[weezy2736]

11. Hahahahahahahahaha!

It's funny- I voted for every democrat on the ticket in 06 except for Dann. I remember reading some material at the time and my reaction was to just not trust the guy.

On a side note, I'm glad that the first screw-up of the newer majority came from my state, it makes me so proud to be moving.

[Kolesar]

12. I doubt it...eom