Jones-Kelly was placed on paid administrative leave pending an Inspector General review of alleged use of a state computer for political fund-raising.
This is the same director who authorized the search for any child support records relating to Sam "Joe the Plumber" Wurzelbacher. Gov. Strickland defended that action at the time, saying it wasn't politically motivated.
The announcement was made after close of business on Friday.
According to emails provided as part of a public records request by the Columbus Dispatch, Jones-Kelly provided the Obama campaign with the names of 17 potential Dayton-area contributors ahead of the candidate's July 11 appearance there via her state email address.
"The e-mails about the Dayton event show Jones-Kelley corresponded with Michael O'Neil, who is listed as an Obama fundraiser. O'Neil did not answer a telephone number he listed in his e-mails. Jones-Kelley could not be located for comment. Obama's Ohio campaign spokesman did not return calls.
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Other e-mails showed Jones-Kelley receiving information of a partisan political nature through her state e-mail account. One e-mail included an attached donation form for the Obama campaign.
Strickland administration polices forbid the use of state time, equipment and property for election-related purposes. Jones-Kelley sent a memo to all of her employees on Oct. 21 reminding them of the prohibition."
