Dem insider to coordinate staff changes

An Ohio GOP leader said Dann’s ‘silly charade of self-examination’ needs to end.

COLUMBUS (AP) — Embattled Attorney General Marc Dann is relying on a campaign donor to clean up an office marred by a sexual harassment scandal, campaign finance records show.

Dann has asked Cleveland lawyer and lobbyist James Friedman to lead a group that will make management and personnel changes. Records show Friedman contributed $500 to Dann’s campaign for attorney general in 2006. Friedman, a Democratic Party insider, was chief of staff for former Gov. John Gilligan in the 1970s.

Dann spokesman Ted Hart said Saturday that Dann is aware of the contribution but doesn’t see a conflict since Friedman isn’t being paid.

Dann, Ohio’s top law enforcer, acknowledged Friday that he had an extramarital affair with a subordinate and failed to stop problems that led to the harassment scandal involving some of his top aides. Three of the aides were forced out of their jobs, and another resigned.

Hart said Dann was in Arizona on Saturday but didn’t know the nature of the trip. Republicans have called for Dann’s resignation, something Dann has said he won’t do despite being scolded by investigators for his conduct.

In choosing Friedman to make changes in the office, Dann said Friday he was trying to regain the trust of Ohioans.

Friedman has contributed thousands of dollars to various Democratic campaigns, records show. Messages seeking comment from Friedman were left at his home and office Saturday. A message also was left for state Rep. Chris Redfern, chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party.

State Rep. Kevin DeWine, deputy chairman of the Ohio Republican Party, said Saturday he doesn’t see the need for Friedman or anyone to do more investigating and renewed his call for Dann to step down.

“I’m not sure why he would be calling for a review of the management practices,” DeWine said. “I think it’s all bad and it all needs to go. He [Dann] needs to end this silly charade of self-examinations.”

Leaders of both parties have been critical of Dann, one of several Democrats swept into office in 2006 after a scandal over state investments sullied Republicans.

Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland, who called for outside investigation, has said he sees a “double standard” with certain employees being let go and Dann staying.

Dann, 46, apologized for the scandal and other problems at his office, including profanity and inappropriate communications that were outlined in a report released Friday by internal investigators. He said the extramarital affair was consensual.