Just what exactly is going on w/this country’s current and former Democrat attorneys general? First there was Kansas AG (now former) Paul Morrison, then there was NY Governor (former AG, and now former Governor) Eliot Spitzer, and now this has come out about Ohio’s Democrat A.G. Marc Dann? This certainly seals the deal on Dann’s prospect for re-election in 2010. Next we’ll be looking for a Morrison/Spitzer-like resignation (which won’t happen until the rest of the story comes out).

The Columbus Post Dispatch picked up the story on Sunday – this is a story that is far from over. There appear to elements of a fumbled attempt of a cover up, and some other classic and sophomoric political spin strategies. The image this article conjures up of life in the Ohio A.G.’s office is flat out disturbing: Long time buddies of Democrat A.G. Marc Dann, who failed to pass the most basic of integrity and background checks, hired for high paying senior positions in the Office of Attorney General. Buddies who appear to be behaving like boorish, drunken college boys – beer, pizza, bringing home girls to the flop pad.

The details in this article are beyond shocking – they’re flat out offensive.  A senior staffer telling his subordinates that they “owe” him for their jobs. The same senior staffers plying twenty-something year old young ladies with alcohol, the appearance of non-consensual activity between the senior staffer and subordinates after a night of drinking. Is this the Ohio Office of Attorney General, or is it the Delta House?

The kicker, for today at least, is the AGs office desire to make the whole matter go away privately, “without making it public”. Apparently, according to the article, Mr. Dann’s buddy was recognized as a problem by the agency. You have to wonder how much more of this type of stuff went on under the A.G.’s nose – and he would know because you see Attorney General Marc Dann was roommates with the senior staffer/harasser in question – and in fact himself was present during at least one of the episodes. Apparently, he was having a pajama scheduling meeting with his 28 year old scheduler.

We’ve left out a bunch of details – so read the Dispatch’s article here for more detail, get the quick over view from the Hamilton News-Journal here.

The blogs in Ohio are on fire with this story. Check out Politics Ohio Dot Com for the commentary there. The comments on the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s blog is enfuego. Political Science 216 has started the Marc Dann Resignation Watch. Even this leftist/progressive Ohio blog is having a hard time spinning this favorably for their man Dann.

Dann, Gutierrez, and Communications Director Leo Jennings III also shared an apartment in suburban Columbus, where some of the harassment allegedly occurred.The Dispatch, quoting from the complaints, said one of the women, Cindy Stankoski, accompanied Gutierrez to the apartment on Sept. 10 after they had been to a couple of bars. She said she woke up after a nap and three buttons on her pants were undone while Gutierrez was beside her wearing only underwear.

The same night, according to the complaint, another staffer — Jessica Utovich, 28 — was at the apartment in her pajamas with Dann. Utovich had been Dann’s scheduler until she got a 26 percent pay raise and new duties in September.

Read the Rest…