AG's Plane Use

Attorney General Marc Dann says he uses a state plane for business - he's flown one eleven times since taking office. In the last two weeks, he used the plane three times.
But today, some are questioning why he's flying so much when the budget is so tight.

State planes fly from here - the Ohio State Airport in North Columbus. Like other state agencies, Attorney General Marc Dann also flies state planes for business.

On January 14th - the plane flew to Youngstown - where Dann lives with his family - to pick him up. Then it took him to Teterboro Airport. For a press conference in New York City with attorneys general from across the country.

After that, the plane flew back to Columbus. The total cost for the trip - twenty-eight hundred dollars.

Two days later, the plane again went to Youngstown and then to Lima. His office says he was there for meetings about an officer involved shooting -including an public meeting with the press. The round trip total: twenty-three hundred dollars.

According to Department of Transportation flight logs, since taking office, Attorney General Marc Dann flew eleven times - at a total cost of seventeen thousand dollars.

Ohio Republican Party spokesman John McClelland said, "What we're seeing is a pattern here. A pattern of use of the plane to go and attend public relations events."

ABC 6 called the Attorney General's office. Both Marc Dann and his spokesperson, Leo Jennings, are in Cleveland today at meetings. But they sent ABC 6 this statement.

The statement reads "We use the plane when it is the only way for the AG to meet his hectic - anyone who took an objective look at it would call it crushing - schedule."

His office says Dann works up to eighteen hours a day - and driving is not always practical.

They say they will continue to use the plane for state business. In fact, they suggest they may want to use the plane more, because it extends his work day and allows him to meet more people. Former Attorney General Jim Petro did not use the plane once his final two years in office.
AG's Plane Use