COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Governor Strickland says he must now act swiftly to replace Marc Dann, who resigned his attorney general post yesterday.

Strickland led the charge for Dann to step down. He said he has a list of possible replacements for Dann, but no serious screenings had begun before Dann's decision yesterday to step down.

Under law, first assistant attorney general Tom Winters will assume the responsibilities of attorney general until Strickland names a replacement.

Among those mentioned as possible successors are Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher, higher education chancellor Eric Fingerhut, state Treasurer Richard Cordray, Cuyahoga County prosecutor Bill Mason and Strickland's chief legal counsel Kent Markus.

Whoever is chosen will have to face voters in November.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Deputies of the state's top watchdog removed a cartload of computers and files from the office of scandal-plagued Attorney General Marc Dann.

State lawmakers on Tuesday authorized Inspector General Tom Charles to investigate Dann, a Democrat, as they pursue impeachment proceedings against him. Both parties have called on him to resign following a sexual harassment scandal in his office and his admission to an affair with an employee.

On Tuesday, he tried to negotiate a deal that was rejected by legislative leaders.

Charles visited Dann on Wednesday before removing materials from his office. Dann was also visited by Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher, a fellow Democrat and long-time mentor, who called their discussions productive and professional. Fisher declined to discuss the details.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Embattled Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann plans a statement about his political future.

Dann's political spokesman Jason Stanford says Dann will talk at noon on Wednesday. He would not preview the remarks but told The Columbus Dispatch that "attendance is mandatory."

Dann, a Democrat, admitted May 2 to an extramarital affair with an employee that he said contributed to an atmosphere leading to sexual harassment claims against a top aide.

An investigation of his office by the state watchdog is set to start soon. On Tuesday, Dann tried to negotiate his exit but balked when colleagues would not give him a 90-day break on the start of the investigation.

lso Tuesday, House Democrats also tried to start impeachment proceedings against Dann - only to be dismissed as moving too fast by the Republicans in power.