Shocking News: Marc Dann Ran An Unprofessional Office…

Former Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann ran an unprofessional office and misused campaign funds and state resources, according to a report released Monday by the state's Inspector General.

According to the report by Inspector General Tom Charles, Dann's 17 months in office were marked by abusive and vulgar language and a failure by Dann and others to maintain professional boundaries.

Much of the Inspector General's report focused on Anthony Gutierrez, Dann's friend, roommate and general services director, who was accused of sexually harassing two Attorney General employees. Charles' report said that there was an active effort in the office by long time friends at the administrative level to overlook Gutierrez's transgressions over a long period of time.

Gutierrez used the relationships to exert his influence and to impress female employees of his connections, the report stated. Gutierrez was fired and Dann's spokesman, Leo Jennings III, was also fired after attempting to obstruct the investigation into the harassment complaints.

Edgar Simpson, who served as Dann's chief of staff, resigned. According to Charles' report, Simpson failed to promptly initiate an investigation or take other action once he received the sexual harassment complaints. Dann resigned on May 14, the same day that Charles launched the investigation of the Attorney General's office…

The report also said that Dann created a corporation that solicited more than $195,000 in unreported donations from business interests. All but about $8,000 was spent. Last week, Charles and Secretary of State filed two complaints with the Ohio Elections Commission against Dann and others, saying that they broke state law in falsifying reports about where the campaign funds were originating. Charles' report said that out of the 493 days Dann spent as Attorney General, he used the money from his campaign buy food.

"On virtually every one of those days, he made a stop at a restaurant, convenience store or delicatessen to make a purchase of some food item for either his personal consumption or that of his friends, co-workers or roommates," the report stated. "Every one of those purchases was made with Dann for Ohio campaign funds."

During a teleconference on Monday afternoon, Dann argued that the report was not based on facts and that his expenses were legitimate. "The Inspector General's report is based on innuendo and exaggerations and not on facts," Dann said.

Dann denied many of the report's findings, including claims that funds from his non-profit transition company were improperly used for such things as the installation of windows in his home by a friend and $31,000 in campaign-funded meals…