GOP blasts Dann over campaign fund use

The accusations are ridiculous, a spokesman for the Ohio attorney general from Liberty said.

By DAVID SKOLNICK

VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER

LIBERTY — The Ohio Republican Party is considering filing a complaint with the Ohio Elections Commission claiming Attorney General Marc Dann inappropriately used campaign funds.

Republican deputy chairman Kevin DeWine of Fairborn accuses Dann, a Liberty Democrat, of using the funds for questionable security expenses at the attorney general’s Liberty Township home and for reimbursements for items, such as newspapers.

DeWine, a state representative, spent close to $900 from his campaign in 2006 and 2007 on newspaper subscriptions. DeWine said there’s a difference between subscribing to newspapers in his district and picking up a paper at a convenience store.

Leo Jennings, Dann’s spokesman, said DeWine’s accusations are ridiculous, unfounded and a desperate attempt by Republicans to discredit the attorney general.

“The office had three incidents that caused us concern over the past 10 days,” Jennings said Monday regarding Dann’s safety. He declined to discuss the incidents, but said the office receives threats and deals with other issues regarding Dann’s safety.

About $145,000 worth of security equipment and services were spent to protect Dann’s Northlawn Drive home. That includes security alarms, cameras, doors and windows. It also includes security around Dann’s home by the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation and the Liberty Township Police Department.

Of the cost, $33,525 came from Dann’s political campaign fund and the rest from the attorney general’s budget.

Dann could have billed the entire cost to the attorney general’s office, but had money in his campaign fund to defer some of it, Jennings said.

DeWine contends Dann violated state law by using campaign funds for personal use.

In response, Jennings said, “It’s an officeholder-related expense. It’s absolutely and totally ridiculous to question whether or not keeping a candidate alive is a legitimate campaign expense.”

The Dayton Daily News wrote Monday that a review of e-mails and other documents related to Dann’s security detail failed to show any reason or need. The newspaper specifically mentioned Aug. 29, 2007, e-mails that state there was no actual threat against Dann that led to the additional security.

The attorney general’s office removed specific details from the documents about the security arrangements and what led to its need as a matter of safety, Jennings said.

“We’re unapologetic about protecting the attorney general,” he said.

The Dayton newspaper also reported that this additional security seems unprecedented among state attorneys general.

Jennings said times have changed and Dann is aggressive in his job, which could increase the number of threats he receives.

DeWine also criticized Dann for spending about $350 in campaign funds for newspapers, food and beverages last year — saying the attorney general was using “campaign funds for personal expenses.”

“Marc Dann has reached a new height of arrogance by openly admitting to his own violations after years of brazenly accusing other officeholders of a lack of ethics,” DeWine said.

A review of DeWine’s campaign finance reports show that he spent $868.60 on subscriptions to four newspapers in 2006 and 2007.

“There’s a difference between subscriptions to newspapers in your district for the benefit of finding out what’s going on and buying a Mountain Dew, donut holes and a USA Today,” DeWine said.

DeWine admitted he had no idea what newspapers, food and beverages Dann purchased.

“That’s not the point,” DeWine said. “It goes to his use of campaign dollars and state tax dollars. He has a pattern of wasteful spending.”

skolnick@vindy.com