COLUMBUS — Beginning last June and continuing for months, Attorney General Marc Dann had an extensive security detail that included security alarms, cameras and state law enforcement agents to protect him and his family at their home near Youngstown.

It is unclear what threat or threats triggered the unprecedented security, which cost more than $145,000. But it appears to go well beyond what previous attorneys general have had, and exceeds what is provided for any other state officeholder other than the governor.

The security measures included a home alarm system, Ohio Highway Patrol protecting Dann, and Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation agents and off-duty Liberty Twp. Police Department officers watching his house.

Dann's three predecessors did not have 24-hour, seven-day a week security during their time in the attorney general's post, although each received threats. Former staffers do not recall extraordinary security measures for Bill Brown or Tony Celebrezze when they served as attorneys general from 1971 to 1991.

Dann, a Democrat, used his campaign fund to pay for the $33,525 security alarm, camera, doors and windows at his home. The rest came out of the attorney general's budget.

"We're not going to comment on what precipitated the onset of the security protocol," said communications director Leo Jennings III. "It gets to specific threats and that compromises the security arrangement."

The security detail began shortly after former Deputy First Assistant Attorney General Brian Laliberte received a strange call from someone he thought said "you're dead."

The attorney general serves as the state's lawyer, collects debt owed to the state, assists local law enforcement through the BCI&I, and has enforcement powers when it comes to consumer protection, anti-trust action, organized crime and other areas.

Dann's 24-hour security began around June 29 for about two weeks and then again Aug. 22 through Nov. 26. Jennings refused to say what security measures are currently in place.

An Aug. 29 e-mail to Edgar Simpson, Dann's chief of staff, and Steve Lamantia, then-acting Superintendent of BCI&I, said: "Now that I have been informed to continue the security detail for 2-3 months, can someone advise me of the threat? Agents are asking."

Lamantia replied 12 minutes later: "...nothing to my knowledge. However, in the Mahoning Valley the Gambling issue is heating up to the point where our side has a perception of strong potential problems. At this time it is precautionary."