Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray has announced that the state has reached a settlement with two women who accused aides of former Attorney General Marc Dann of sexually harassing them.
Cindy Stankoski and Vanessa Stout will each receive $247,500, which includes attorney fees.
Stankoski and Stout worked for former General Services Director Anthony Gutierrez, a long-time friend of Dann. They claimed Gutierrez repeatedly sexually harassed them. The claims led to last year's scandal which eventually forced Dann to resign.
Their attorney, Rex Elliott, and Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray issued the following joint statement:
"Today we agreed to put to rest a series of events that was unbecoming of the leadership of the Attorney General's office and difficult for the two women who showed courage in turning a spotlight upon it.
"Ohioans should be able to count upon ethical conduct by the individuals entrusted with conducting the people's business. By bringing to light wrongdoing and a fundamental disrespect for that public trust, Cindy Stankoski and Vanessa Stout played an important role in creating an opportunity to restore professionalism to the Ohio Attorney General's office.
"We believe that what happened to them was wrong and regret the difficulties they have experienced."
Cordray's release also included a statement from Niki Schwartz, who was chosen by the parties and previously attempted to mediate the dispute. She said, "This settlement is fair and reasonable for both sides and in the best interests of the State."
Stankoski and Stout no longer work for the Ohio Attorney General's office. Stout quit in December; Stankoski resigned Wednesday.