COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Attorney General Marc Dann held a news conference Friday in response to an internal investigation into alleged sexual-harassment claims against Director of General Services Anthony Gutierrez, NBC 4 reported.

The results of the internal investigation were released at 9:30 a.m. Friday morning.

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Dann opened by complimenting Assistant Attorney General Ben Epsy on a fair, complete and thorough investigation.

Dann said that serious allegations were made on the conduct of people in his office and the report showed that the allegations were substantiated.

For reasons detailed in the report, Dann said he was accepting the terminations that First Assistant Tom Winters recommended and Ed Simpson’s resignation.

He said he hired those employees with high hopes. He believed they brought strengths and qualifications to the positions. Unfortunately, they let him down, Dann said.

"I take full responsibility,” Dann said. “I’m even more disappointed in myself.

“I did not create an atmosphere in my public and personal life that is consistent with the important mission of the Office of the Attorney General or worthy of the great work we’ve been accomplishing in the state of Ohio.”

Dann said he was heartbroken in his failure to recognize the problems that were created and by his failure to stop those problems.

“I should have been much more aggressive to make sure that those who violated my trust were disciplined. I should have put into place a management structure that addressed these types of problems long before they became front-page news or -- more importantly -- personal tragedies.”

Dann said that he hasn’t conducted himself in a way that was consistent with his values as a husband or a father or his responsibilities as attorney general.

“At a difficult time in my marriage, I got involved in a romantic relationship with a member of my staff. That conduct was intrinsically wrong,” Dann said.

Dann said that same conduct has caused his family and his employees immense pain and embarrassment. He offered his apologies to his wife, children and the people in his office.

“I apologize from the bottom of my heart for my human failings,” he said. “My errors in judgment have sadly allowed the creation of a sideshow."

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He said the sideshow detracted from the good work being done in the office, including taking on the biggest insurance companies for fixing prices, working against those who defrauding Ohioans out of their houses and extracting millions from the pharmaceutical companies that ripped off the state and Ohioans.

Dann he said his next step is to do everything possible to repair the negative reflection that has been cast on the great lawyers, administrative staff and law enforcement.

"I will work tirelessly to re-earn the public's trust," Dann said.

Dann will make the following changes:

He's asked Jim Friedman, former chief of staff to Gov. John Gilligan, to head up a small working group that will identify changes in management structure and personnel.

Dann said he envisions the situation and changes as a second transition.

"To ensure faith in the result of the investigation, Dann said, "we will continue to strictly follow our office's sexual-harassment policy."

In addition, if none of the complainants or those disciplined request an external review of the reports' findings, Dann said he will ask for it.

Dann said the external review will be conducted by an outside reviewer whom Winters will choose and identify.

Dann said it was important to wait on the external review because of due process so as not to create additional legal exposure for the state or anyone else. He did mention that he's anxious for the external review.

He said the office also will reorganize its structure and hiring policies to recruit the best people for the job.

New policies will be implemented, including policies about respectful communication between employees, especially between supervisors and subordinates.

"Today, I'm getting up, dusting myself off by accepting responsibility, by apologizing to the people who I love and the people who have put their trust in me and making changes.

"I'm doing this because nothing, least of all my shortcomings, should stand in the way of the important work we are doing."

After Dann's talk, there was a 30-minute question-and-answer period.

When asked why he was staying in office, he replied that he was elected to the position and that great legal work has been done in the office.

When asked why he wasn't being subject to some sort of discipline, Dann said, "I have – this has been an excruciatingly painful process. I have admitted here today that I have had a relationship that was wrong and I deeply regret it. I think that's pretty good punishment."

When asked about the relationship between himself and his scheduler, Jessica Utovich, Dann insisted that he had not identified the staff member with whom he had the romantic relationship.

Dann would only say that he is speaking only for himself and that the other party involved was not an elected official.

GOV. STRICKLAND RESPONDS

Dann stopped short of resigning or any form of self-punishment other than admitting what he calls mistakes.

"I was elected by the people of the state of Ohio. We have done great legal work in this office," he said.

Gov. Ted Strickland told the Associated Press that Dann's decision to fire some employees while staying on in his position is a "double standard."

"If it was my office, I would be asking for an independent investigation," Strickland said.

But Strickland, who came into office with Dann, vowing to clean up state government, stopped short of calling for Dann's removal.

"What I do know is very troubling. What I do know is very disappointing. What I do know causes me to feel anger, but I feel like I need to know more," he said.

Pressed again on taking responsibility, Dann again shifted the subject away from himself.

When asked, "How can you say you're taking full responsibility if you haven't even considered whether this warrants resignation?" Dann replied, "I've considered the important work we're doing in this office. I think about it every single day."

Strickland said it will be difficult for the office to regain the public's confidence.

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