Inspector general pledges full Dann probe

COLUMBUS – Ohio Inspector General Tom Charles has launched what he says will be a full and impartial investigation of the Attorney General's Office .

"We're going to look at all the allegations," Charles told reporters, adding. "We're going to look at them and leave the chips fall where they may. We have no agenda except to do this right and be fair and above board...."

Charles spoke to reporters Thursday, less than 24 hours after former Attorney General Marc Dann tendered his resignation to Gov. Ted Strickland.

Lawmakers passed and the governor signed legislation Tuesday giving Charles' office authority to conduct an investigation into the attorney general's office.

On Wednesday, the inspector general launched that investigation, visiting the attorney general's offices in Columbus and Youngstown and confiscating records and electronic equipment.

Charles said his office also has contacted other agencies conducting investigations, including the state ethics commission, the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Franklin County Prosecutor's Office, to coordinate the efforts.

"We've had numbers of phone calls of people who want to talk, of people who want to complain, of people who want to give us evidence" Charles said. "We'll accept all (of) that."