Ohio official fired over alleged harassment

COLUMBUS (AP) — A review by The Associated Press finds that a biochemist who had been previously investigated and sued for sexual harassment was hired as a top aide at the Ohio Department of Health, where he lost his job over similar allegations.

State investigative records say John Francis began an inappropriate pattern of behavior toward women employees at the agency shortly after he was hired in March 2008. He lost his job eight months later.

Before taking the state job, Francis was an instructor at Columbus State Community College, where records show he was accused of similar acts and ordered to take sexual harassment training and meet female students only in public.

Francis denies the allegations, which he says were retaliation for a poor grade he gave and a promotion he did not award.