UPDATE: Dann wants to negotiate terms of his resignation, otherwise he won't do it
Submitted by Nick D on Tue, 05/13/2008 - 2:24pm.
Finally, our long nightmare is over.
The Plain Dealer is reporting that Marc Dann will resign later today.
This comes as evidence of more misdeeds by Dann himself begin to surface, BSB has learned, including alleged misappropriation of campaign funds to pay for personal expenses.
BSB has also learned that Kent Markus is the odds-on favorite to be appointed interim AG by Gov. Strickland.
More on this later as it develops.
UPDATE: The Dispatch beat me to the punch on this, but I have learned that Dann has had a meeting today with Lt. Gov Fisher during which he's attempted to negotiate the terms of his resignation. Specifically, he wants Gov. Strickland to kill the bill authorizing the Inspector General to investigate his office in exchange for his resignation. However, I'm hearing that no one is buying that at this time. Dann has said that the IG would cause "all sorts of problems."
UPDATE 2X: What we're hearing now is that Dann only intended to resign as part of a deal to prevent an IG investigation. Since no one is buying that deal, Dann is going to stay put for the time being.
Railbird sez, a caretaker to replace Dann
Submitted by BuckeyeNation on Tue, 05/13/2008 - 4:13pm.
Markus or Tommy Winters.
Rich Cordray will run for AG in the special election in November.
Going Old School-Paul Leonard Interim AG
Submitted by Will Allen on Tue, 05/13/2008 - 4:48pm.
Look for an old school-political caretaker. Markus would be a great interim AG but would be missed too much in the Governor's Office. He's one of the big brains. Unfortunately, Winters is damaged goods. How could anyone keep Dann's #1 even if he's not a wrong-doer.
Where's Paul Leonard when you need him?
Dann wants a cover up.
Submitted by TAmber1 on Tue, 05/13/2008 - 4:52pm.
I hope the Democrats are not dumb enough to continue opposing the Inspector General's investigation. It is pretty obvious that there are now criminal offenses to be found in the AG's office and he is terrified of that happening. Having the Democrats lining up, inadvertantly or not, to help in a cover up of the office by blocking the IG's investigation would be the height of political stupidity (which is probably why Strickland endorsed the IG idea).
Dann's sudden "I'll resign if..."
Submitted by BuckeyeNation on Tue, 05/13/2008 - 6:33pm.
tells me that there's quite a bit under the rocks that he doesn't want to see the light of day.
Last week, he hires the oppo-guy Stanford from Texas, has his father-in-law tell a radio talkinghead that he's A-OK with his son-in-law playing around on his daughter, and that essentially "hell no, I won't go."
Now he wants to cut a deal?
Ain't gonna happen.
Interim AG
Submitted by JDUC on Tue, 05/13/2008 - 8:06pm.
I agree that Kent Markus would be missed at the Governor's Office - I think he contributes a lot, far beyond just legal advice. However, he would be a solid choice. I have heard Espy's name too, but I think he is unfortunately too close to the whole thing. Same with Winters. The hardworking rank and file AAG's deserve somebody that will garner the respect THEY deserve.
Kent Markus