COLUMBUS, Oh. – The Ohio House Democratic Caucus has filed Articles of Impeachment against Attorney General Marc Dann, accusing Dann of misconduct and malfeasance in office.
According to a press release, Ohio House Democratic Leader Joyce Beatty said Democrats first called on Attorney General Dann to resign.
Beatty then selected three attorney representatives to explore an impeachment process if he refused to step down.
“We have identified a pattern of misconduct that we believe rises to the level of impeachable offenses,” said State Representatives Dan Dodd , Jennifer Garrison and Mark Okey in a joint statement.
The release says the 9 Articles of Impeachment filed this morning. They include:
•Malfeasance and Improper Exercise of Authority: Obstructed the investigation into allegations of sexual harassment within his office
•Malfeasance: Willfully and intentionally issues misleading statements under oath
•Nonfeasance and Gross Neglect of Duty: Neglected to perform the official duties of his office and, by his own admission, was not competent or qualified to execute the duties of the office of Attorney General
•Nonfeasance and Neglect: Failed to exercise due care in the administration of the office because he knew or should have known his personal conduct contributed to and allowed the creation of a hostile work environment
•Nonfeasance and Neglect: Failed to exercise due care to ensure the safety and security of state property
•Nonfeasance and Neglect: Failed to investigate and prohibit improper use of state property
•Nonfeasance and Neglect: Knew or should have known of the misuse of state property for personal business
•Gross Neglect of Duty: Committed acts of gross neglect of duty by undermining the integrity of his office; bringing disrepute upon the office; betraying the public trust as Ohio’s chief law enforcement officer; undermining the effectiveness and efficiency of the office
•Gross Immorality: Committed acts of gross immorality and knew or should have known that his personal conduct undermined the effectiveness and efficiency of the office.
The impeachment articles must get Republican support in order to send the charges to the Senate for a trial.
Dann has refused requests from both parties to resign after admitting an extramarital affair earlier this month.