COLUMBUS — House Speaker Jon Husted, R-Kettering, believes an independent, external investigation is needed to gather all the facts before the House considers whether to impeach Democratic Attorney General Marc Dann.

Such an independent investigation could put off for months a House decision on whether to impeach Dann, who has resisted calls from Gov. Ted Strickland, Husted and others to resign.

The independent investigator could be chosen by Dann in consultation with the Republican-controlled legislature and Strickland, said Karen Stivers, Husted's spokeswoman.

Dann has made it "pretty clear" that he is "very interested" in an independent investigation into the sexual harassment charges filed by two employees in the attorney general's office, Ted Hart, Dann's spokesman, said Thursday, May 8.

However, Dann's office policy gives Cindy Stankoski and Vanessa Stout, the two employees, until Monday to appeal the results of an internal investigation, said Hart. As a result of the internal probe, two employees were fired and two resigned. The investigative report cited Dann for "bad judgment."

"If Monday rolls around (without an appeal), I think you'll see the attorney general take the appropriate steps," said Hart.

Meanwhile, Strickland continues to support an independent investigation but believes it "can run concurrently with the impeachment process," said Amanda Wurst, Strickland's spokeswoman.

State Rep. William Batchelder, R-Medina, today is expected to make a verbal report to Husted on the procedures and merits of impeachment. So far, Batchelder said he has not seen anything that rises to the level of impeachment.

Three Democratic House members are working with Batchelder —Reps. Jennifer Garrison of Marietta, Dan Dodd of Hebron and Mark Okey of Carrollton.

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