Dann's office defended alleged sexual harasser | The Columbus D...

Then-Attorney General Marc Dann's office was representing a man Gov. Ted Strickland's administration later hired, then fired for alleged sexual harassment, at the same time the governor was pressuring Dann's office on similar allegations.

[Love the Liberals]

Does this really surprise anyone? The double standars and high accountability just keep coming. Stay Tuned

[Taxpayer]

Typical sensational journalism. The Attorney General's office is the state's attorney. When a lawsuit is filed, it is usually against the State of Ohio rather than the individual for obvious reasons; the state has deeper pockets. To try and show this as being some type of conspiracy on the part of Dann is nothing more than than an attempt to create a story where one does not exist. The reporter should be ashamed. Dann had no business being in office but he also had no choice but to defend the state entity being sued. To assume anything else is simply ignorance or in this case, reckless reporting.

[Leftist Loon]

Love the Liberals wrote:

Does this really surprise anyone? The double standars and high accountability just keep coming. Stay Tuned

You ain't seen nuthin' yet baby. It's hopey dopey time!

[ramseyjames]

Affirmative action at its best! This pos is being paid $83,000 a year for working in his candy store!

[kec48]

Taxpayer wrote:

Typical sensational journalism. The Attorney General's office is the state's attorney. When a lawsuit is filed, it is usually against the State of Ohio rather than the individual for obvious reasons; the state has deeper pockets. To try and show this as being some type of conspiracy on the part of Dann is nothing more than than an attempt to create a story where one does not exist. The reporter should be ashamed. Dann had no business being in office but he also had no choice but to defend the state entity being sued. To assume anything else is simply ignorance or in this case, reckless reporting.

Typical sensational journalism? You missed the point. Where there is smoke there is fire and this man is a blazing fire. He's hired for his new job in July and by November he's been placed on leave while his new employer investigates undisclosed allegations against him. There was also no attempt to show any conspiracy and there is a story here whether you want to see it or not. Dann and cohorts were scumbags and so is Francis and all of the above where drawing salaries from the State of Ohio. The reporter has nothing to be ashamed of, they did their duty.

[JAB]

Dann is still practicing law in cleveland, Jennings is still a scum bag and Gutierrez will never go to jail. These people should have been properly prosecuted then led off to prison. Justice what justice. The corruption in politics will continue as long as they keep getting away with it. I guess we are the idiots, we follow the law and most of us has some integrity unlike the politicians.

[Holla]

Taxpayer wrote:

Typical sensational journalism. The Attorney General's office is the state's attorney. When a lawsuit is filed, it is usually against the State of Ohio rather than the individual for obvious reasons; the state has deeper pockets. To try and show this as being some type of conspiracy on the part of Dann is nothing more than than an attempt to create a story where one does not exist. The reporter should be ashamed. Dann had no business being in office but he also had no choice but to defend the state entity being sued. To assume anything else is simply ignorance or in this case, reckless reporting.

Thank you. This is what I hate most about journalism. They sensationalize information. This is extremely misleading to people in the public who do not know any better. The AG's office had no choice to defend this individual---they are required to by law. Doesn't matter who the AG is; Cordray, Dann, Petro, Montgomery, Fisher, etc.

[columbus man]

should it be any suprize that such flagrant disregard FOR AURHORITY and miscarriage of justice be carried out of state. the elected need to be more accountable than stable ohio govt employees

[Ex-AAG]

The AG doesn't automatically defend someone like this. Under Ohio law, the AG has to affirmatively decide to defend an employee, and cannot do so if the AG concludes the individual was acting outside the scope of his duties. Apparently, Dann thought sexual harassment was an office duty. But setting that aside, it's rediculous that Strickland would hire the guy with these allegations pending.

[ROCKETTRAVELLER]

Where is that Dann guy. O yea he is back in Youngstown. Lets get Dann and Strickland in a room and see who jumps first

[Ohio Lawyer]

According to the records, Assistant Attorney General Christa Metzger was representing John W. Francis and Columbus State Community College, where Francis worked, when a student in his microbiology class accused him of sexual harassment. The attorney general provides legal counsel to state government entities, which includes the publicly funded college.

What is not clear from the story is whether there was anything wrong or improper about the AG's office defending Francis. I wish there were some perspective on that in the story, from someone qualified to comment. The implication in the headline, which Smyth presumably didnt write, is "awful AG's office defended sexual harrasser." Lawyers don't pick clients based on what they're accused of, nor should they.

[Ohio Lawyer]

Ex-AAG wrote:

The AG doesn't automatically defend someone like this. Under Ohio law, the AG has to affirmatively decide to defend an employee, and cannot do so if the AG concludes the individual was acting outside the scope of his duties. Apparently, Dann thought sexual harassment was an office duty.

You were making an illuminating comment until you got into partisan cheap shots.

[im4justice]

So this is what our colleges and country has come too. I am appalled. Every time I read the news lately; I am reading about these so called adults breaking the laws and making up the rules as they go. No wonder the younger generation is so messed up. Look at their role models. Shame on you all.

[Leftist Loon]

Ohio Lawyer wrote:

<quoted text>
You were making an illuminating comment until you got into partisan cheap shots.

Irony is funny

[Chexley]

REMEMBER COINGATE !!!

...the massive, widespread REPUBLICAN led scandal uncovered by Marc Dann !!!

Yes Marc Dann messed up royally. But I don't care what anyone says. Marc Dann is the best thing that ever happened to Ohio when it comes to COINGATE. Were it not for Marc Dann, Ohio would be out at least $100M and we'd all be in the dark.

[Ohio Lawyer]

Leftist Loon wrote:

<quoted text>
Irony is funny

You aren't.

[Ohio Lawyer]

Chexley wrote:

REMEMBER COINGATE !!!
...the massive, widespread REPUBLICAN led scandal uncovered by Marc Dann !!!
Yes Marc Dann messed up royally. But I don't care what anyone says. Marc Dann is the best thing that ever happened to Ohio when it comes to COINGATE. Were it not for Marc Dann, Ohio would be out at least $100M and we'd all be in the dark.

No. You are wrong. And I'm a Dem. Dann wasnt even AG at the time, and the AG generally has less to do with law enforcement than many AG candidates have wanted you to believe (Crimefighting Hero Betty M being the leading lying example.)

[Ohio Lawyer]

Ex-AAG wrote:

The AG doesn't automatically defend someone like this. Under Ohio law, the AG has to affirmatively decide to defend an employee, and cannot do so if the AG concludes the individual was acting outside the scope of his duties. Apparently, Dann thought sexual harassment was an office duty. But setting that aside, it's rediculous that Strickland would hire the guy with these allegations pending.

Your rank partisanship aside, it sounds like the guy should have been told to get his own attorney. I hope there is more investigation on all this and why it happened.

[Leftist Loon]

Ohio Lawyer wrote:

<quoted text>
You aren't.

How was Havana? Fidel treat you well? Hopey dopey my Carterbama friend.

[Rickie]

ramseyjames wrote:

Affirmative action at its best! This pos is being paid $83,000 a year for working in his candy store!

What does affirmative action have to do with anything? A scumb bag is a scumb bag. Wake up!