Charles and a diverse task force involving 10 or more state and federal agencies will probe a broad range of issues, some of them potentially criminal, in a one-of-a-kind investigation authorized by the legislature and approved by Gov. Ted Strickland this week.

“We have no agenda other than to do this right and do it fair,” Charles said. “We'll leave the chips fall where they may.

“Everybody is on board. There aren't going to be a bunch of separate investigations.”

Charles briefed reporters today, a day after the investigation began with Wednesday's shock-and-awe raid on Dann's offices in Columbus and Youngstown. Computers, telephones, other electronic devices and what Charles called “a lot” of documents were seized. Dann's computer, BlackBerry and state vehicle, a Chevy Suburban, were seized.

Reportedly stunned by the raid, Dann, 46, a Democrat elected in 2006, resigned Wednesday after 5¹/ ₂ weeks of intense scrutiny over sexual harassment complaints and allegations of cronyism and mismanagement in his office. He was attorney general just 17months.

The emergency legislation empowers the inspector general to head the investigation just this once. Charles' agency is normally limited to investigating those agencies under the governor's control.

The far-reaching bill tells Charles to “investigate the management and operation of the office of the attorney general to determine whether misconduct or wrongful acts or omissions have been or are being committed by the attorney general or by present or former employees or contractors with that office.” He is to report his findings to the governor and legislative leaders.

Charles, a veteran of 10years as the state's investigative watchdog and 31years with the State Highway Patrol, declined to say what specific allegations would be probed. However, he said likely targets would be many of the allegations reported in news accounts. Those include the office's mishandling of sexual-harassment complaints, perjury, obstruction of justice, misuse of state property and diversion of campaign funds for Dann's personal use.

Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien, who is part of the task force, would pursue any felony charges, while Columbus City Attorney Richard C. Pfeiffer Jr. would handle any misdemeanors.

Charles said FBI investigators are “aware of what was done and have been invited to work with us.” The federal agency is reportedly looking into Dann's connection with gambling interests that flooded his campaign with financial contributions leading up to his election in November 2006 and helped pay for his inaugural in 2007.

The investigative task force will be modeled after one used successfully in the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation investment scandal in 2005, Charles said. That probe netted 21 convictions, topped by disgraced coin dealer Thomas W. Noe's lengthy prison sentences and a quartet of criminal misdemeanors against then-Gov. Bob Taft.

Asked whether he was concerned that the investigation would set a precedent for pursuing grievances against state officeholders, Charles said, “The good side of it is that the General Assembly and the governor's office want to clean up everything that is bad.

“I don't know what will happen down the road.”

ajohnson@dispatch.com