ODJFS Director Submits Resignation

CINCINNATI -- A state official resigned Wednesday in the wake of a finding that she improperly used state computers to access personal information on the Toledo-area man who became known as "Joe the Plumber" during the presidential campaign.

Department of Job and Family Services Director Helen Jones-Kelley said in a statement that she won't allow her reputation to be disparaged and is concerned for her family's safety.

"This decision comes after 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," Jones-Kelley said in her statement.

Jones-Kelley could not be reached for additional comment Wednesday night. There was no telephone listing for her in Columbus, where the department has its headquarters.

Gov. Ted Strickland suspended Jones-Kelley for a month without pay after Ohio Inspector General Tom Charles found in November that she improperly used state computers to find personal information on Samuel Wurzelbacher. The investigation also found that she conducted improper political fundraising activity for now President-elect Barack Obama.

"The governor values Helen Jones-Kelley's years of public service as a dedicated advocate for the most vulnerable among us," Strickland's spokesman Keith Dailey said Wednesday night. "He understands her decision and accepts her resignation."

Dailey said Jan Allen, the governor's cabinet secretary who has been serving as interim director of the department, will continue in the position for now.

Charles' investigation could not confirm that Jones-Kelley accessed the records of Wurzelbacher with political gain in mind. His report did indicate that she had used her personal Blackberry to send the Obama fundraising requests - though it was synched up to state equipment.

Wurzelbacher came to be referred to as "Joe the Plumber" when Republican presidential candidate John McCain used the term during a debate and in his campaign against Obama.

Republicans have repeatedly called for Jones-Kelley's resignation.

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

Husted said Jones-Kelley's resignation did not remove the need to pass legislation that seeks to prevent the type of records check the former agency chief performed. The legislation, expected to pass by the final day of the legislative session Thursday, requires state agencies to determine proper circumstances for records to be checked and to authorize only specific individuals to perform those checks.

Strickland has issued a management directive to all state agencies, boards and commissions he administers laying out the proper uses of state databases.

Scarlett Bouder, a spokeswoman for Job and Family Services, said two other top-level officials also will be leaving the department.

Fred Williams, the department's assistant director, will resign effective Jan. 31 and the department is revoking Doug Thompson's position as deputy director of child support effective Dec. 22, she said.

Charles' report also outlined roles played by Williams and Thompson in the searches. Williams had been suspended without pay for two weeks and Thompson was suspended without pay for a month.

Bouder said Williams, who has a couple of decades of institutional knowledge, will stay on through January to help with the transition to a new director. She said Thompson was appointed by the director and his position will be eliminated.

"These decisions were made so that we can continue to focus on our priority of providing solutions to the many challenges facing Ohioans right now and to serve our customers," Bouder said.

Telephone listings for Thompson and Williams could not be found Wednesday night.

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