Panel urges end to office romances in Ohio attorney general's office

A report issued today in the wake of the sex scandal that brought about the resignations of Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann and and his chief of staff, former Joplin Globe Editor Edgar Simpson urges that the attorney general's office place strict limitations on office romances:

An advisory panel appointed by Dann's temporary successor, Nancy H. Rogers, zeroed in on a few of the areas that went awry during Dann's 17 months in office. The panel didn't delve into allegations of wrongdoing, leaving such transgressions for the Ohio inspector general and other investigators with ongoing inquiries.

Rather, Rogers' panel, headed by retired federal Judge Robert M. Duncan, proposed a few policy changes that were unmistakably related to problems during Dann's term. Among the recommendations:

• Managers in the office should be prohibited from dating their subordinates, even if the relationship is consensual.

Dann's term was marked by several office relationships, including Dann's own admitted extramarital affair with his scheduler.

Simpson was never accused of any sexual wrongdoing, but did not take action when he was made aware that there were problems.