COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio’s former top cop has not been put into a lineup yet, but investigators are on the scene and gathering evidence.

Ohio Inspector General Tom Charles said Thursday he has launched a wide-ranging investigation.

He also confirmed that he met with representatives of the Ohio Ethics Commission and the Ohio Highway Patrol.

The probe began with a line-up of investigating agencies that also joined forces for the probe of former Ohio Gov. Bob Taft for his acceptance of gifts from political friends and controversial investments in rare coins.

The ensuing ‘coin scandal’ drove Republicans out of Statehouse offices in the 2006 election and brought in the Democrats, including Dann.

Speaking to reporters, Charles said his only agenda was to conduct a fair investigation.

He said he did not know how long it would take.

Charles added that the probe could look at all aspects of the attorney general's operation, even before Dann took office, and not just allegations raised during a sexual harassment investigation that saw three Dann aides forced from their jobs and two others disciplined.

Inside the Attorney General’s office Thursday, employees were told to continue working and to cooperate with the investigations.

Acting Attorney General Thomas Winters, in a memo to employees, spelled out the goals for the organization in the short term:

- Support and cooperate with the on-going investigations.

- Begin immediately to restore the public’s confidence in the integrity of the office of the Attorney General.

Jim.otte@whiotv.com