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."

The agency's actions drew outrage from across the country after The Dispatch broke the story in October. The paper also reported that Jones-Kelley had used her state computer and e-mail to assist the Obama campaign, providing names of potential Dayton-area contributors and helping to arrange an event for Obama's wife, Michelle.

Administration officials announced Jones-Kelley's resignation last night less than an hour after telling The Dispatch they were unaware of any impending departures.

Cabinet Secretary Jan Allen will serve as interim director.

Strickland spokesman Keith Dailey said Jones-Kelley was not asked to resign. "The governor values Helen Jones-Kelley's years of public service as a dedicated advocate for the most vulnerable among us," Dailey said. "The governor understands her decision and accepts it."

Jones-Kelley did not respond to messages left at her Dayton-area home and on her cell phone.

In a statement released by the Strickland administration, she wrote that "it is with sadness and clarity that I have decided to resign my position as director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. This decision comes after having a time of pause, in which I realize that I continue to be used as a political postscript, providing a distraction from urgent state priorities."

She also cited security concerns, saying: "I also remain concerned for the safety of my family and myself."

Strickland ordered the State Highway Patrol to provide security to Jones-Kelley after she received threats because of the checks on Wurzelbacher. The protection ended Nov. 25.

Jones-Kelley told the inspector general that the checks of child-support records were run on those thrust into the public spotlight to see whether they were receiving public assistance or owed child support or unemployment-compensation taxes. Previous directors and staff members said they were unaware of such a practice, and the probe questioned the credibility of her claim.

Dispatch reporter Jim Siegel contributed to this story.

ccandisky@dispatch.com