Articles of impeachment filed against Dann

Tribune Chronicle
Ohio House Democrats today filed articles of impeachment against Attorney General Marc Dann accusing him of misconduct and malfeasance in office. ‘‘We have identified a pattern of misconduct that we believe rises to the level of impeachable offenses,’’ Democratic state Reps. Dan Dodd of Hebron, Jennifer Garrison of Marietta and Mark Okey of Carrollton said in a joint statement.

The nine charges against Dann based on sworn deposition testimony from the Attorney General’s internal investigation (Espy Report) and other statements. The articles include:

— Malfeasance and improper exercise of authority: Obstructed the investigation into allegations of sexual harassment within his office;

— Malfeasance: Willfully and intentionally issued misleading statements under oath;

— Nonfeasance and Gross Neglect of Duty: Neglected to perform the official duties of his office and, by his own admission, was not competent or qualified to execute the duties of the office of Attorney General;

— Nonfeasance and Neglect: Failed to exercise due care in the administration of the office because he knew or should have known his personal conduct contributed to and allowed the creation of a hostile work environment;

— Nonfeasance and Neglect: Failed to exercise due care to ensure the safety and security of state property;

— Nonfeasance and Neglect: Failed to investigate and prohibit improper use of state property;

— Nonfeasance and Neglect: Knew or should have known of the misuse of state property for personal business;

— Gross Neglect of Duty: Committed acts of gross neglect of duty by undermining the integrity of his office; bringing disrepute upon the office; betraying the public trust as Ohio’s chief law enforcement officer; undermining the effectiveness and efficiency of the office;

— Gross Immorality: Committed acts of gross immorality and knew or should have known that his personal conduct undermined the effectiveness and efficiency of the office.

The three representatives who drafted the articles said, ‘‘We promised the people of Ohio to end a culture of corruption that existed in the past, and we are fulfilling that promise by cleaning our own house when events and circumstances warrant.’’