DUI / DWI, Law Schools, Marc Dann, Politics, Sex Scandals, Sexual Harassment

Party Is Over in the Ohio AG 'Dannimal House'Amid Scandal, Dann Withdraws As Case Western Law's Commencement Speaker

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Marc Dann is Ohio’s attorney general… for now. But he won’t be Case Western Reserve University’s law school commencement speaker, per an e-mail from the dean this morning.

Dann was an ATL lawyer of the day honoree last month for running a dysfunctional office with staff accused of sexual harassment, DUIs, and ethics law violations. Oh, but there’s more.

On Friday, Dann held a press conference where he revealed his affair with a staffer. Two of his staff were fired and two resigned last week, including the 28-year-old scheduler with whom Dann had the affair. If sleeping with the boss doesn’t get you a raise and a promotion, what’s the point? From the Cleveland Plain-Dealer:

Dann announced the affair at a news conference Friday morning, after investigators released a report on the sexual harassment investigation. The former state senator who once worked in a small Youngstown law firm blamed his inexperience and said he was not equipped to take over a state agency with more than 1,400 employees, including 400 lawyers.

“I don’t know how many people here expected me to win the election, but I certainly was not among them. It was a surprise that I won,” he said.

Saying that you didn’t think you would actually win is the worst defense ever (and seems off-topic). Despite that, Dann says he plans to stay in office and clean up the mess. Good luck with that.

Five Ohio newspapers are calling for his head resignation. For ponderings on whether sex scandal politicians should resign, see Law and More and Vanity Fair. Case Western law prof Jonathan Adler wonders if Dann could save his career with a really good apology — in song.

Dann had been slated to be Case Western Law School’s commencement speaker on May 18, but the dean e-mailed the school this morning to announce Dann’s withdrawal. Too bad. His speech could have been fun: “Hey kids, you too can use your Case Western degree to be a total f*#k-up, reward your friends with jobs, sleep with your scheduler, and tap state resources for personal use!”

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Dann-related links, collected below. Dean Simson’s email, after the jump.

Editorial Consensus: Dann Must Go [Volokh Conspiracy]

The Trials of Marc Dann [Volokh Conspiracy]

Dann should resign/be forced out if he’s a lousy AG for OH, not because of That Woman et al. [Law and More]

Gov. Strickland on Attorney General scandal [Cleveland Plain Dealer Blog]

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Dann draws more outrage [Dayton Daily News]

It’s the Adultery, Stupid! [Vanity Fair]


Dean Gary Simson e-mailed the Case Western law community EARLY this morning announcing Dann’s withdrawal as speaker:

From: Gary Simson

Sent: Monday, May 05, 2008 1:12 AM

To: REDACTED

Subject: [lawstudent] Change in commencement speaker

Dear Law School Community,

I have been in touch with the office of Attorney General Marc Dann. The Attorney General has indicated that he wishes to withdraw as commencement speaker.

I have already been in contact with another graduate of the law school, and I hope to be able in a couple of days to tell you whom I have lined up as speaker.

Sincerely,

Gary Simson

Dean and Joseph C. Hostetler-

Baker & Hostetler Professor of Law

Do you think Jerry Springer would be willing to speak at Northwestern and Case Western? Or how about the Rev. Jeremiah Wright?

Earlier: Lawyer of the Day: Marc Dann

Oh, The Places You’ll Go, or Law School Commencement Speakers

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