Dann six-month law suspension recommended

COLUMBUS — A state disciplinary board is recommending a six-month suspension for ex-Attorney General Marc Dann.

The decision, filed today by the Ohio Supreme Court’s board of commissioners on grievances and discipline, said the suspension is warranted as its members “cannot help but wonder at the harm to the reputation of the legal profession and to the confidence of the public in the office of the attorney general when the chief law officer in the state has committed ethical errors and tries to explain them away as [Dann] has.”

The final decision rests with the Ohio Supreme Court.

Dann and the Ohio Supreme Court’s disciplinary counsel had signed a tentative agreement Oct. 23 regarding a six-month stayed suspension. But the counsel recommended a 12-month stayed suspension after a Nov. 3 hearing in front of three members of the state disciplinary board after saying Dann tried to minimize what he did.

Dann was found guilty in May 2010 of two misdemeanor ethics violations, making the attorney from Liberty subject to sanctions from the state Supreme Court.

Today’s recommendation calls for Dann to serve an actual suspension without a stay.

For the complete story, read Tuesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com