Former Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann is all too familiar with the distractions a criminal investigation can cause while being an elected officeholder.
Dann resigned his position in May of 2008 after a top staffer involved was involved in a sexual harassment scandal.
Dann, who is now in private practice, spoke to us Friday about the recent indictments filed against Mahoning County Commissioner John McNally and Auditor Michael Sciortino. He said he believes it isn't necessary for either man to step down while they are awaiting trial.
"If you think about these type of offices, they are run by people who have been there for years and years," he said. "Some of the staff have survived many auditors and many county commissioners, so what I think is they need to put their faith in the people that run it daily and not make any decisions too rashly."
Under the law, there is no requirement for elected officials to step down while under indictment, because they have not been convicted of any crime.
"Nobody has been convicted of anything," said attorney Lou DeFabio, who represents former treasurer John Reardon. "These are just charges by a grand jury that says a crime may have been committed. No one has been convicted, that is what jury trials are for."
Dann also urged those indicted to try and ignore the negative comments and spend time concentrating on their family.
"Fifty years from now your consitutents won't be there, the newspaper reporters won't be there but your children will be, and if you are luckier than me your wife will be there," Dann said.
