Cordray sworn in as attorney general

By Marc Kovac

The new attorney general pledges to treat all Ohioans with respect and professionalism.

COLUMBUS — Standing before a crowded atrium at the Ohio Statehouse and vowing to bring integrity to an office marred by scandal, Richard Cordray took the oath of office Thursday, becoming Ohio’s 49th attorney general.

“At all times in the attorney general’s office, we will treat one another with respect and professionalism, and we will treat every Ohioan the same way,” he said.

Cordray’s oath of office was administered Thursday afternoon by state Chief Justice Thomas Moyer. He shared the stage with Kevin L. Boyce, former Columbus councilman who was appointed to replace Cordray as state treasurer.

Boyce’s oath was administered by U.S. District Court Judge Algenon L. Marbley. And the ceremonies included comments by Gov. Ted Strickland, Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher and outgoing Attorney General Nancy Rogers.

Cordray has been an attorney for more than two decades after earning his law degree from the University of Chicago. He served as a U.S. Supreme Court clerk, worked in private practice, did stints as a state representative, the Franklin County treasurer and was the first state solicitor.

He ran for attorney general in 1998, losing to Republican Betty Montgomery. He defeated Republican Sandra O’Brien in 2006 to become state treasurer.

Cordray and his wife, Peggy, have two children.

Cordray was elected to his new post in November to complete the term of Marc Dann, who resigned last year amid a scandal that included allegations of cronyism and sexual harassment.

A report by the state’s inspector general released last month stated that Dann used campaign contributions as a “personal honey pot” for everyday living expenses and implicated others hired by his administration for misusing state resources.

Dann earlier admitted having an affair with a subordinate. But he has denied criminal wrongdoing.

Rogers, who returns to her post as dean of the Ohio State University law school, served as attorney general for about seven months.