More Bad Press Coming for Ohio AG Marc Dann?
I have heard from 4 different qualified sources that Marc Dann intern or secretary who met the Ohio AG in a bar and later bragged on her MySpace page about having sexual relations with Dann. The words have since been removed from her page.
More details to come soon. I wonder what Marc Dann’s wife and family think about this news? Could a divorce already be in the works?
Update at 4:55 pm: Early speculation is that the woman in question is Jessica Utovich, Marc Dann’s scheduler. Jessica is also Second Vice President of the Ohio Young Democrats and is 28 years old. Also, apparently Dann tries to be quite a ladies man and Tom Winters, Ohio’s First Assistant Attorney General, works as his wing man when cruising for chicks.
Update at 5:15 pm: I spoke directly with Jessica today and she refused to comment and said she “wouldn’t dignify [my question] with an answer.” She referred me to their communications office. I must say that is an unusual, guarded way to respond if this rumor isn’t true. But on second thought, I would be guarded at all times too if I worked in the PR land mine field known as the Ohio Attorney General’s office.
Update at 6:25 pm: Jerid lectures me about journalistic integrity. HAHA
Boy oh Boy…it just gets better and better. This guy was an arrogant a-hole as a State Senator. Now as AG he thinks he can get away with anything. How many folks see a Bill CLinton defense coming?
Or, will Super-Spokesperson Leo “I come from a family of convicts” Jennings The Third just defend Dann by saying, “Well I am a married guy and I am not offended that be is banging his secretary/intern/mail order mistress.”
This guy is a TRAIN WRECK…I love it.
Marc Dann to just simply too entertaining to get rid of!
The voters wanted change, and boy did they get it.
Do you remember his campaign slogan?
“Marc Dann: He will end the corruption”
Naugs, you ought to do a post asking for suggestions of new Marc Dann slogans after year one. Please do this!
Here is my contribution…
“Marc Dann: Destroying the AGs Office one scandal at a time”
Not my best work, but a start.
My contribution…
“Marc Dann: He we end in corruption”
Where is the media calling on Marc Dann to resign? Dann is arrogant, and will not resign. This will almost gurantee us winning back the AG in 2010.
Anybody think that Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason will run against him in the (D) primary?
ochocino, you are right and (R) could sneeze and be called on to resign by the media, but Dan could kill somebody on live TV and they would have to consider if it really is an offense worthy of a (D) resignation.
Anybody remember when Dann cried about his children having to see the ads against him last year that discussed how he was soft on pedophiles?
General Dann…I wonder how your kids are feeling about you “not being so soft” with a staffer?
After his holier than thou crap last year…No mercy on this guy…
With all of this press, I bet his children don’t talk much about their attorney general father. He is a fat sloppy embarrassment to the office.
From the perspective of someone that’s been personally a victim of your antics (poppa Kurtz anyone), I know the way you handle yourself is slime. Don’t think for a second that you and your show’s got more integrity than BSB.
If this particular rumor is true, I want to hear some back up. I’m not saying it’s not, I’m just saying your handling of it piss poor. For all I know this stuff is coming from ORP. Give me some more so I can evaluate it. That’s what I’m looking for myself right now.
Don’t you have to ask some more male escorts if they had sex with Trent Lott?
Maybe you should talk to your sources at the AG’s office which told you that Petro had the flames painted on that SUV?
I do love that you have a pedophile running the show at BSB today. That is truly “big tent” politics.
This story is true, but just like much of what is talked about in blogs, it is unsourced. So make of RAB what you will, but ignore RAB at your political peril.
Don’t blame me your party has a sex problem. Blame your hypocritical policies. Maybe if you’d stop claiming homosexuals are sinners, and trying to create a second class of citizenry people would be a little less interested in how your politicians are behaving in their personal lives. But who knows, eh?
And just so we’re clear, you published a woman’s name - claiming she’s the subject of this post, then called her - without any additional sourcing - and hounded her. Now I have no problem with some unsourced stories, but I’m a little more cautious in how I behave than this latest shenanigan.
Congrats Matt. You’re a piece of work.
I’ll continue looking for that proof that you’ve got no problem ignoring. And yea, integrity. Still looking for a sliver of it with ya’.
Well we are all sinners, but not wanting to make a group of people who take part in unnatural acts into a protected class is a perfectly legitimate point of view to have. I would rather have those who stand for traditional values and fail than to just throw up their arms and embrace hedonism and debauchery.
I have proof but can not post it. I’m sorry if that upsets you Jerid. She also answered the question as if its something she is used to answering. But unlike you, I won’t post the audio online.
Matt and Jerid, you both walk a fine line in your blogs. Frankly many of the stories you both have put up there are actionable (and yes, even though they are about public figures). Neither of you really have any room to talk about having standards, ethics, or any type of high ground when it comes to “reporting”. Both of your blogs have devolved into trash.
I’d love to see an example of something I’ve written that’s “actionable.”
A little browsing through your archives provides quite a few examples, as you are quite aware - along with some that are still on your front page currently. Proving malice would be difficult of course, but defamation cases are always fun, especially in discovery.
The post we are commenting on could certainly be actionable depending on its veracity - and it would not be much of a stretch for someone to entertain the notion that Mat wants to defame someone.
Jerid - I know this is tough as even though you are giving the AG the benefit of the doubt in your gut you know it probably is true and that the media has it. What you said on BSB is true that Dann will be big time damaged goods and everybody and their mother will be gunning for him.
Since I think blogs are for open discussion, I would like to to ask your opinion, as a Dem. If this is true, do you believe that Dann is toast? If he is toast, should he resign so the Governor can appoint a clean as a whistle replacement so you actually have a chance of winning the AG in 2010?
Or, does he ride the storm out like Clinton? Claim its only about sex, yada, yada, yada.
Seriously, I am very interested in your opinion as a Dem.
Also, good luck on your law school finals.
Dann is not the type who will resign. From a purely political standpoint he should. It is hard to make the claim that it is a personal issue when the other party is an employee that he has direct hiring/supervisory authority over. Private sector employers are routinely sued for sexual harrassment cases in such situations. Banging the secretary is not just bad politics, but bad business.
I would be interested to see who would be the heir to the throne if Dann were to resign. Mason is a name I have heard a few times today in the circles that I run in, and now I know why people were bringing him up. He would certainly be more difficult to defeat in 2010 than Dann, assuming he is halfway competent.
Two Peas - very good commentary. I agree with you on Dann personally. I think he would ride it out and absolutely kill the party too.
Mason would be formidable. But I am still unsure why he did not run in 06, as Betty Montgomery was running for Gov when Dann and Chandra first announced.
If this is true, I’ll be done with Dann. You’ve got to police your own (and for the record, which please please please don’t drag this down…it’s different than the Clinton situation). Trust me, if this is true (which I’m giving Dann credit on till I actually hear something solid) things will need to change.
That said, my comments I’ve said at BSB and here stand — I wouldn’t publish a woman’s name claiming she’s in an affair without some form of backup. I’m continuing to give Dann credit until I hear otherwise.
And “Two peas…” still waiting for an example, bud.
Jerid, thanks very much. very thoughtful comments I thought. I absolutely despise Dann so if this is true (not that I am hoping…ok maybe a lil) I really hope he handles it as badly as he has with all the other bad press. I am sure Leo will be reeeeeaaaaallll helpful.
Jerid, one recent example would be your Latta post about his not holding committee because he is too busy campaigning. You cite no sources then whine about not being able to verify anything, despite the fact that the legislature has held very few sessions days and it is well known that it is not possible to get legislators (of either party) to a committee hearing if there is no House or Senate session scheduled. Now, maybe a source passed that on to you, with the intention of hurting Latta’s reputation. Maybe you made the post up in order to start a rumor that could hurt his reputation and you have no source at all. In some of the public figure defamation cases that have been successful, not making an attempt to verify the information you are publishing has been shown to be malice (or its equivalently high negligence standard). There are other examples in your archives for those who want to have a fun project. Would such a case succeed? Defamation cases are always touch and go. I am confident it would survive a motion for summary judgment.
As to the political analysis, I hope no one starts any dumb arguments on Clinton here. I sincerely hope the rumor is not true, because it makes Ohioans look idiots (and something like this will probably get national media play) and Dann will be far easier to defeat in 2010 than other potential candidates.
TP, So that was libel, eh? News to my ears.
My official quote was:
“And speaking of committees Bob Latta is chairman of the Criminal Justice committee. Sources in the statehouse (which I haven’t confirmed because frankly I don’t know how to confirm other than calling Bobby boy up) tell me Latta has refused to convene his committee because he wants to devote all his time to his campaign.”
I’m pretty sure, as are you, that anyone reading that quote will note the fact that I acknowledge it’s unconfirmed (so I’m openly acknowledging it could be false). I wasn’t aware that when someone says “I might be wrong” they’re asserting a claim. Guess you learn something everyday.
Secondly, you’re taking quite a leap with the intent of the claim. What proof do you have of where the tip came from or what its intent was. Pardon me for asking for a road map while we’re leaping to conclusions.
And yea, you kind of gloss over the whole “actual malice” standard. By pointing out a narrow exception applied in a few cases, you downplay the fact that actual malice is a heightened standard (well done). In fact, actual malice can’t be assumed by solely proving ill will on my behalf. So I’d love to see the proof that I’ve ever mad any claim (this one included…if it is a claim) with knowledge of a strong likelihood it was false. Happy hunting for your basket of proof.
And, Celebreeze v. Dayton is a helluva case if you ever get around to that one. Nice little ruling about political malice for ya’ there.
And of course you have to show a harm. What was the actual harm in that one that I caused to Bob?
But getting to the larger point, when I don’t know if something’s true I generally take steps to admit it’s either my opinion, or uncomfirmed. Pardon me if you’re the one that jumps to conclusions. You should really pay more attention to the details.
And to survive a summary judgment motion, plaintiff would have to prove that Latta has acceded to hold committee meetings while campaigning for congress. I don’t know for sure if he has or has not. Apparently you have incontrovertible evidence he has? My point is that you are a little quick with your confidence on summary judgment.
…Oh, and there’s a difference between open session and a committee hearing, I’m not going to take the time to explain that to you. The Dispatch article you’re referring, to which I commented on re: the lack of sessions held, concerned open session. It would be interesting though to see statistics on committee hearings this session (certainly lack of committee hearings is reason for the lack of legislation on the floor for full body consideration).
Try again.
Matt,
As someone who has supported a number of Republicans in the past, I have to say that this “article” absolutely disgusts me!
This is slimeball journalism — you (and many others) may not agree with Dann’s politics, but to smear the name of a 28 year old young lady for the pure purpose of politics is absolutely beyond explanation — this is the kind of Karl Rove slime that gives the Republican party a bad name, and is the very kind of politics that has turned people off from the Republican party last year.
As an attorney, I can only advise you that you should seriously consider talking to an attorney who specializes in media law — you may have set yourself up for a massive libel suit with this article.
And before you start talking about ‘free speech’ and using the term ‘allegedly,’ you should be aware that that defense did not work for a Texas newsreporter, who used similar tactics and who (along with his station) was required to pay a multi-million dollar settlement to several local politicians whose names they smeared.
Matt - you’re a disgusting human being. If I was this Jessica Utovich I’d slap your ass with a defamation claim and bankrupt you with the discovery. slimeball.
No, I’m pretty sure the slimeball in this whole fiasco is the AG.
Wow, a homophobe, a purveyor of prurient sex rumors…what next, Matty, softcore porn? Wait, I know, you are going to be like Phil Burris, come out and say you are a porn addict who can’t help it and then you are going to go on a crusade to decide for all of us what we can and cannot see. Right????
I would consult an attorney. I think Jessica and others may just be getting advice to take you on, and given any litany of posts, and given your relations with other republicans who may have kept the nasty communications you have had with them, and your slash and burn policies, they might not have much trouble proving you had the intent to injure. Way to be a help to the cause, moron! All you do is make us look like flamethrowers.
If we are going to claim we are better than the libs like Jerid and Plunderbund, then let’s act like it. Let’s stick to Dann’s corruption, to his malfeasance, and leave this type of stuff to the tabloids until we have something actionable in terms of being able to print it and have proof other than “reliable sources” say so. That is the MSM….which you hate. But you appear to be making all sorts of concessions on the principles you supposedly support….
Misty - I’m pretty sure someone who throws out sex scandal accusations they won’t support and use the name of a 28-year-old associated with OYD just b/c they think they can is a slimeball. Let’s be honest - who’s “qualified” to talk about a sex scandal? Generally, only the two people involved and maybe one or two other friends. Assuming Dann isn’t a source, and since Jessica is saying she won’t talk to Matt (and let’s be honest - her response is exactly what Matt would get from any self-respecting female in JU’s position), I doubt there are four people qualified to be a source.
Matt’s a slimeball. This is slimeball politics at its worst. He’s trying to take down the AG and he doesn’t care who he takes with Dann. That’s a slimeball.
My first response to this posting was a chuckle, I was briefly amused. I know Utovich relatively well, at least in a professional environment, and know her to mean well as an individual. I am not friends with Utovich nor do I necessarily care for her personality traits-simply my personal opinion. However, a posting like this has nothing to be desired (other than the brief chuckle I shared-still doing no good for anyone really). What good has come of this posting or what worth have you created with sharing this information? My guess is, none! Curious as to know your motivation for such an accusation. Are we getting our news from myspace accounts now?
Dann must be some kind of moron if this is true. Jessica is fat. She is ugly. She has a big mouth. Maybe they would make a good pair! HaHa!
Billy Boy, you, too, are an ass.
well, are we ever going to get facts on this? 72 hours is a longtime on the Internets. Post the alleged MySpace comments, or back off. This poor young woman has otherwise been unfairly accused.
There’s no myspace page. If there were, it’d have been posted long ago. I’d say that was more Naugle flatulence floating along.
Not saying the underlying claim’s not true. Just saying that myspace stuff…total bs.
This coming from Jerid who’s blog has been tagged “The BS Blog”
No one believes you Jerid whether they be from the right or the left or whether they be Democrat, Republican, Green or Libertarian.
You can only put out so much BS before everyone loses faith in your words. You’ve already reached your BS quota related to lacking all semblance of believability.
meds Dave. Don’t forget them meds.
Hey, Robin Weirauch believes his words! It’s going to be a great day for me when she gets throttled in the election next week.
Umm . . . am I the only one wondering what happened to this story? You posted an explosive story that had people talking resignation, and then nothing?
Time to follow up or apologize.
Matt Naugle apologize? He is never wrong…just ask him….No class.
Wow…some classy comments on here…
As far as the ones who wish to make those “comments” about Jessica..
Please feel free to come and express those to me in person…
Especially the person who runs this forum…
I would enjoy meeting someone who hides behing a computer creating such nonsense…
And maybe after we are done,you could explain those comments to my other family members…
And as far as the well versed “gentleman” who referred to Jessica as “fat and ugly”…
Please accept my invitation…But as we all know,cowards like this always run…