Former Ohio Attorney General pleads guilty to criminal charges stemming from office scandal

Ohio ex-attorney general pleads guilty on 2 counts

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio’s former attorney general has pleaded guilty to two ethics violations involving improper payments to staff from campaign and office transition funds.

Marc Dann’s attorney entered guilty pleas on his behalf in a Columbus courtroom Friday morning. Franklin County Municipal Court Judge Ted Barrows described the plea as an Alford plea, in which a defendant acknowledges there is enough evidence for a conviction but does not admit wrongdoing.

Dann maintained his innocence while also telling the judge he took full responsibility for his mistakes. He was fined $1,000 and sentenced to perform 500 hours of community service.

Barely into his first term, a sexual harassment scandal involving top aides broke out, ultimately leading to his resignation.