Joe the Plumber Snoops Resign

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Helen Jones-Kelley, director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, resigned last night near the end of a monthlong, unpaid suspension for mining state computers for confidential information on "Joe the Plumber."

Two senior managers suspended for their roles in the scandal that spiced this year's presidential campaign also are leaving, The Dispatch has learned. The administration fired Doug Thompson, deputy director of child support. Fred Williams, assistant agency director, resigned effective Jan. 31.

The action came soon after the Republican-controlled General Assembly approved a measure cracking down on state workers who improperly conduct checks involving Ohioans' personal information.

Republicans complained that Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland, who promised to set a high ethical standard as governor, was letting Jones-Kelley off too lightly. Now, Strickland must decide whether to sign the bill, which Republicans say is a step toward restoring Ohioans' trust in government.

"The institution of state government and the trust is paramount and stands above any of us, and I think she made the right decision," House Speaker Jon Husted, R-Kettering, said.

Both Strickland and Jones-Kelley rejected calls for her dismissal last month after a report by Inspector General Thomas P. Charles found that the database checks that Jones-Kelley approved on Toledo-area resident Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher were for no legitimate government purpose.

The checks came the day after Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain repeatedly mentioned Wurzelbacher by his nickname, "Joe the Plumber," in a televised debate with Democratic opponent Barack Obama on Oct. 15.

Charles found that Williams and Thompson participated in Jones-Kelley's authorization of the checks and that Thompson directed an employee to lie about the checks. That staff member reported the incident to Charles.
In response to Charles' report, Strickland suspended Jones-Kelley for a month without pay from her $141,980-a-year- job. Thompson also was suspended without pay for a month. Williams was suspended for a week without pay.

Jones-Kelley and Thompson had been scheduled to return to their jobs Monday. Williams recently returned to work after his suspension.

"It appears she was driven out by this intense pressure on the part of the Republicans," said Senate Minority Leader Ray Miller, D-Columbus. "I think it's a tremendous loss. She's an outstanding public servant who made a mistake and was disciplined for it."



DispatchPolitics : Top 'Joe' snoop quits Columbus Dispatch Politics



She’s very worried indeed about politics becoming a distraction from urgent state business. Now, that is. During the campaign? Not so much.



Hot Air » Blog Archive » Wow: Ohio agency head who snooped on Joe the Plumber resigns

Finally got more than a slap on the wrist. Good riddance to corrupt public officials.