State approves settlement in Ohio Attorney General scandal

2/23/2009

COLUMBUS A state panel has approved a $500,000 settlement for two women whose sexual harassment claims led to last year s resignation of former Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann.

The decision Monday by the Controlling Board gives payments of $247,500 a piece to Cindy Stankoski and Vanessa Stout.

The former employees of the attorney general s office made complaints against a top Dann aide that led to the unraveling of the Democrat s administration last May.

The panel s three Republicans voted against approving the settlement but were outnumbered by four Democrats. The Republicans said they were concerned about the validity of the settlement.

Attorney General Richard Cordray, who took office in January, said the settlement was fair based on outcomes in similar cases. He said legal bills were mounting as mediation efforts went on.