Dann should follow Barrett’s example

It’s apparent now Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann wasn’t the only state official behaving badly.

Last October, State Rep. Matthew Barrett had planned to use a computer while telling government students in Norwalk how a bill becomes law. But a memory stick he inserted into the computer projected an image of a topless woman.

After it appeared on the screen, Barrett shut down the computer and finished the presentation using handouts. He later told Norwalk Police the images had been downloaded by one of his children.

We now know that was a lie — something members of the Ohio House Democratic Caucus learned days ago.

Democratic leader Joyce Beatty said Barrett acknowledged not being truthful about the matter. She immediately demanded he resign, which he did April 24.

‘‘It became clear that Rep. Barrett had not been forthright with me and his colleagues,’’ she said in a release.

A spokesman for the House Democratic caucus declined to elaborate on what Barrett said that was untrue. That was revealed in documents released Monday. Details are in a story on page 1A.

‘‘I believe he was trying to protect his family and the women involved,” said his attorney, Jack Bradley. “Sometimes, good people make bad decisions.’’

Blaming his son for downloading the images certainly would qualify as a bad decision. We fail to see how that can be seen as protecting his family.

At least Barrett confessed and resigned when he realized the truth eventually would come out. Dann has only done half as much, despite behaving much worse.