Report: Edgar Simpson "overwhelmed" as chief of staff to Ohio attorney general

Former Joplin Globe Editor Edgar Simpson was in way over his head when he moved from journalism to politics, according to a report issued Dec. 22 by the state of Ohio's inspector general.

The report, which focuses on the conduct of the Ohio attorney general office from the time Democrat Marc Dann took over until his resignation, is kinder to Simpson than to Dann or many of Simpson's co-workers during his time as Dann's chief of staff, but that's not saying much.

One section of the report indicates many of the people Dann selected to accompany him to Columbus, including Simpson, were old cronies and were unqualified for the positions. The following was written about Simpson:

"Prior to being hired by Dann, Simpson managed a staff of fewer than 25 reporters at a small newspaper in Joplin, Missouri. In contrast, as chief of Policy and Administration, Simpson was responsible for overseeing the administrative and human needs of 1,400 employees. Simpson had little prior experience as a human resources manager and said he believed his primary role was to develop policies and procedures for the agency. Most of the senior management employees we interviewed thought Simpson was overwhelmed in his new position. Several said he was likable, but not a good choice for the job. Many believed that Simpson's relationship with Dann's wife, Lenhoff, influenced Dann's decision to hire him. Lenhoff previously had worked as a reporter under Simpson when he was managing editor of the Warren Tribune Chronicle.

Another unqualified person in the attorney general's office, telecommunications assistant Vanessa Stout, was hired by Simpson to work for the state's chief law enforcement officer, despite a checkered background, which included convictions for assault, driving under the influence, harassment, and theft.

Another section of the report indicates that Simpson helped out his former reporter, Dann's wife, by keeping an eye on e-mails sent between Dann and his scheduling manager. Dann later admitted to having an affair with an unnamed employee. The report leaves no doubt it was Jessica Utovich, the one Dann's wife wanted watched.

By hiring Simpson and others who were unqualified for their position, the report says, "these people helped Dann turn the office of "the people's lawyer" into a house of scandal. Tawdry news stories about vulgar and flirtatious interactions between managers and subordinates, the hiring of people with criminal records and other legal problems, and Dann's admission that he had a romantic affair with a young female staffer finally helped drive Dann from office. As shocking as some of these revelations were, we found the day-to-day working environment in the attorney general's office to be even more unprofessional and dysfunctional than reported."

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The report has a long list of unprofessional conduct by Dann and his associates. Dann hired friends, hired a large number of good looking young women, referred to as "the Dannettes," and encouraged them to wear revealing clothing, had the state pay for travel between his home to Columbus across state, and used state employees to babysit his kids, including taking Dann's 13-year-old daughter to a Miley Cyrus concert.

If anyone ever doubted Simpson's ability to sniff out a scandal, those doubts should now be laid to rest.