According to the statement, Director Helen Jones-Kelley said, in part, “…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. The 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.“
Keith Dailey, of the governor’s office said her resignation was effective as of Wednesday.
The resignation comes more than a month after an inspector general report found Jones-Kelley authorized an improper search of confidential records of Joe the Plumber—the Ohio resident turned political celebrity.
Strickland suspended Kelley without pay for four weeks, but Republicans called for her firing.
In late-November, Strickland gave his reasoning for not firing Jones-Kelley, saying she made a mistake, and the punishment he settled on was appropriate.
Two other ODJFS workers were suspended Friday afternoon without pay for their roles in the incidents. Deputy Director of Child Support Doug Thompson received a four-week unpaid suspension. Assistant Director Fred Williams received a two-week unpaid suspension.
Her 30-day suspension would have been over on Sunday.
Resignation letter courtesy of the Dayton Daily News.
1 comment:
Maggie,
You have to believe that Ms. Jones-Kelly was presented with a strongly suggested opportunity to fall on her sword rather than wait for the axe. She gets absolutely no points however, for the lame statement she issued.
No apology for wrongdoing, no Joe the Plumber or the citizens of Ohio, but instead an attempt to turn the table on her accusers and critics. With this kind of twisted logic, there is little doubt that we have not seen the end of this woman.
Post a Comment