Ohio AG defends accused harasser amid own scandal

COLUMBUS (AP) — As the governor was decrying a sexual harassment scandal in the office of then-Attorney General Marc Dann, Dann’s office was representing a state employee later fired for sexual harassment.

Documents obtained by The Associated Press show Assistant Attorney General Christa Metzger represented John W. Francis and his employer at the time, Columbus State Community College, against a student’s allegations of sexual harassment.

State Health Director Alvin Jackson hired Francis as Metzger was working with the Columbus State student’s attorney to avoid a lawsuit. The college cleared Francis in an internal investigation.

Eight months after he was hired by the state, Francis was fired when an independent investigation said he had sexually harassed women at the health department.