COLUMBUS, Ohio -- One week after the scandal in the state attorney general’s office hit a low point; legislative leaders announced plans for an independent investigation.

Last Friday Dann fired two close friends for sexually harassing employees and trying to cover it up. Dann also admitted having an extramarital affair with a female staff member.

Ohio House Speaker Jon Husted of Kettering and Senate President Bill Harris an independent investigation of the attorney general’s office will be conducted by Ohio Inspector General Tom Charles.

Charles and his staff are empowered by law to investigate the Governor and administrative agencies.

Before Charles can begin to probe the Dann case, a new provision in state law must be passed. Husted said that would happen next week.

In a written, joint statement Husted and Harris said: “It has become clear to us over the course of the last week that a comprehensive, independent investigation is necessary. We believe Tom Charles has the ability and infrastructure to properly and thoroughly conduct this investigation.”

Husted and Harris also sent a letter to the head of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification to demand answers on recent action there in the Dann case.

The letter came in response to reports that a BCII employee wiped the memory clean of a computer in Dann’s Youngstown office.

Husted and Harris said they wanted to know if and why any data was destroyed.

Jim.otte@whiotv.com