JFS chief should be fired if she misused state computer

After the public scandals that grew out of the misuse of state computers by disgraced Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann and top members of his office, you would think that everyone in the public sector would take a cautious approach to government property.

And yet, there are news reports today that Gov. Ted Strickland’s top human services aide is being investigated for allegedly abusing her state-issued e-mail account. The probe centers on Helen Jones-Kelley, director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, sending names of potential contributors to Barack Obama’s presidential campaign.

E-mails made public by Strickland’s office indicate extra-official communication. Jones-Kelley has been placed on administrative leave while the probe by State Inspector Tom Charles proceeds.

Charles is already looking into the JFS director’s role in agency computers being used to find personal information on “Joe the Plumber,” who became a nationally known figure during the presidential election. Republican John McCain used him to bolster his argument that Obama’s tax policies would hurt all working Americans, not just the rich.

Samuel Wurzelbacher, an unlicensed plumber working for a plumbing company, claimed that he planned to buy the company. The claim turned out to be less than credible given his financial situation. But, McCain used him on the campaign trail.

Jones-Kelley has acknowledged that agency records on Wurzelbacher were reviewed. State Inspector Charles has the duty to determine how those records, including a tax debt, were made public.

JFS computers were used to find the personal information on “Joe the Plumber.”

Underlying issue

While Republicans’ attempt to turn this into a major political scandal failed — Obama carried Ohio in the general election — the underlying issue of using government property for partisan political advantage cannot be ignored.

The personal use of the state-assigned e-mail account by the JFS director makes her continued employment in state government unacceptable.

The Associated Press detailed some of the e-mails between Jones-Kelley and Obama campaign officials and what they reveal is more than just a cursory involvement in the presidential election.

She submitted the names of nine potential contributors to the campaign and also said she could donate $2,000 herself.

Ohio Republicans, who have defined former Attorney General Dann as the poster child for corrupt Democratic governance, not surprisingly are attempting to tie Gov. Strickland in with the JFS probe. Thus far, there is nothing to suggest that Strickland was aware of what Jones-Kelley was doing with state property.

Republicans are still reeling from the so-called Coingate scandal that revealed a major pay-to-play scheme involving an influential GOP financier and Republican officials.

Thomas Noe, who raised millions of dollars and contributed huge amounts of money for the Republican Party, got a sweetheart contract from the state that ultimately prompted an investigation and his being found guilty of criminal charges.

For his part, former Gov. Taft was found guilty of four misdemeanor ethics violations after pleading no contest to charges of not reporting items of value he received.

The scandals resulted in Democrats winning all but one statewide administrative office in 2006.

Dann, as a state senator, was credited with blowing the lid off Coingate. His fall from grace was celebrated by Republicans.

Now, having lost control of the House in last Tuesday’s general election, the GOP is out for blood.

Gov. Strickland must deal with the JFS controversy swiftly and transparently. Anything less will be seen as a cover up.